Minutes 11-07-2019 Regular Meeting

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29 School Resource Officer (SRO) on its K-12 campus. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office currently provides a School Resource Officer Program in the Orange County Public Schools. One deputy is assigned to each elementary and middle school, as well as to the Partnership Academy, while two deputies are stationed at each high school. Upon approval of the position, the Sheriff’s Office and Eno River Academy will enter into a previously reviewed and approved Agreement. At its June 11, 2019 Budget work session, and as part of the 2019-20 budget process, the BOCC previously discussed the possibility of creating a 1.0 FTE Deputy Sheriff I position to provide School Resource Officer (SRO) services at Eno River Academy. At that time, it was proposed that Eno River Academy would provide reimbursement to the County for the 10-month School Year associated expenditures. The minutes from that discussion detailing the Board’s decision to not move forward with the proposal are provided at Attachment 1. The new current request entails Eno River Academy providing reimbursement to the County based on a full fiscal year’s (12 months) expenditures and on a Services Agreement Contract outlining the SRO’s services and related reimbursement to the County for FY 2019-20. The expenses for FY 2019-20 would be pro-rated based on a commencement date of November 11, 2019, and both the Sheriff and Eno River Academy would have the option at the beginning of each future fiscal year to approve, amend or discontinue the associated Services Agreement Contract. The SRO would maintain the same training and certification requirements as apply to all other certified law enforcement officers in the Sheriff’s Office and would be qualified to provide law enforcement services in a manner consistent with customary law enforcement standards and practices. Lisa Bair, Executive Director of Eno River Academy (ERA), said the State charges a school principal with the safety of the school, and she and her staff are concerned about the safety issue. She said when one looks at the numbers and response time, versus the time it takes for an event to happen, most of the destruction would be done before there is a response. She said a School Resource Officer (SRO) can help the school with that opportunity. She said a SRO is also a motivator or advocate for the students, because they are trained. She said when one considers social equity, all schools have the right to safety. She said her school will put up 100% of the funds if the County will approve the position. Mike O’Malley, Vice Chair ERA Board of Directors, said school safety is not taken lightly, and ERA is willing to work collaboratively with the Sheriff’s Department to keep all kids safe. Amy Simonson, ERA Community At-Large Board member, said it is important to connect the community and the school in positive ways. She said SROs are a fundamental member of the community, and having one at ERA is highly supported by the school. She said ERA has agreed to pay for the SRO, including benefits and transportation, and the position would be at no cost to the County. She said this would provide prevention and interaction, and ERA would like to see a statewide SRO program in place. Sarah Yagnow said her son and daughter’s safety is her #1 concern. She said this position would be at no cost to the County, and would foster a culture of safety that the SRO is trained to do. Kristi Anspach, Eno River Academy Board Chair, said she is a lifelong resident of Orange County and a product of local public schools. She said there was an incident at Efland Cheeks while her son was there, which was very concerning, but private schools were not an affordable option. She said ERA offered an alternative, and she has seen the school grow and