Discussion and possible action to approve a Service Agreement with the American Charter Schools Foundation doing business as Peoria Accelerated High School to assign a Peoria police officer as a grant-funded school resource officer.

The American Charter Schools Foundation dba Peoria Accelerated High School obtained a grant to develop and implement a school safety program. As part of the program design, they desire to partner with the City of Peoria and have a Peoria police officer assigned to the school to serve as a school resource officer (SRO).

SROs provide an important level of service for schools, the community, and patrol officers on the street. SROs make schools better neighbors by assessing the impact they have on the surrounding neighborhoods. This, in turn, creates a positive approach to promoting public safety and awareness. By assigning a police officer to the school, it promotes a positive partnership with the Peoria Accelerated High School, the students, and the Peoria Police Department.

The assigned officer will build relationships with students, parents, and staff to promote a positive image of law enforcement. The officer will provide classroom law-related education, participate in campus activities and events, provide social service referrals, provide a visual deterrence to crime, and collaborate with the school on safety strategies, assessments and trainings. The officer will also provide police services to include identifying students with high truancy rates, investigating school-related criminal incidents and child abuse incidents, and taking appropriate enforcement action when needed. 

The school will pay the City for officer salary, benefits, and overtime up to $180,000 in consideration for services provided by the City.

The agreement will begin on July 1, 2023, and end on June 30, 2026.  It can be terminated for any reason by either party with a 30-day written notice. 

A: Approve a Service Agreement between the City of Peoria and American Charter Schools Foundation dba Peoria Accelerated High School to assign a Peoria police officer as a grant-funded school resource officer.

B: Choose not to participate in this agreement with the American Charter Schools Foundation.

Approve a Service Agreement between the City of Peoria and American Charter Schools Foundation dba Peoria Accelerated High School to assign a Peoria police officer as a grant-funded school resource officer.

The school agrees to pay for the SROs salary, benefits, and overtime up to $180,000 per year. These expenses are currently budgeted in the Police Department’s operating budget.