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Council approves SRO for school district
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
The Willcox City Council recently renewed the annual agreement that the city will work with the Willcox Unified School District.
The purpose of the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) is "to foster a safe school environment on school premises and at school-sponsored activities by having a School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to school premises," said Chief of Police Jake Weaver.
It works in conjunction with the IGA that designates the Willcox Department of Public Safety (DPS) as the school district's official law enforcement unit.
The city pays the SRO's salary of $40,758.09, while the school district pays the employee's EREs in the amount of $33,262.91, for a total of $74,021, Weaver said.
The SRO is assigned to the schools to ensure "the safety and security of the students and staff during regular school hours and during special events and activities held on school campuses, investigating alleged criminal acts on school campuses, and instructing students in Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), and law-related education," he said.
This officer also assists school district employees "with any matters regarding the safety and security of students to provide a safe, positive learning environment," and acts as an immediate first responder to any and all threats to the safety and security of district employees and students, said Weaver, adding that the SRO also acts as a liaison between the school district and the city.
While her name was not mentioned during the meeting, the current SRO is Rose Lacey.
In a discussion on the salary, Councilman Woody Johnson said the SRO "is a big plus for the school and for our youth."
Councilman Jimmy Norris asked Weaver how an SRO salary compares to that of a patrol officer.
Weaver replied that while $40,000 is higher than that of a starting patrol officer, Lacey has more than 20 years experience as an SRO.
Councilwoman Monika Cronberg said that Lacey works "well beyond the regular school hours," yet does not receive extra compensation beyond regular school hours.
"I'd like to see the school pay for half of it," said Norris, prior to the unanimous vote. "I think they should stand on their own feet."
The purpose of the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) is "to foster a safe school environment on school premises and at school-sponsored activities by having a School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to school premises," said Chief of Police Jake Weaver.
It works in conjunction with the IGA that designates the Willcox Department of Public Safety (DPS) as the school district's official law enforcement unit.
The city pays the SRO's salary of $40,758.09, while the school district pays the employee's EREs in the amount of $33,262.91, for a total of $74,021, Weaver said.
The SRO is assigned to the schools to ensure "the safety and security of the students and staff during regular school hours and during special events and activities held on school campuses, investigating alleged criminal acts on school campuses, and instructing students in Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), and law-related education," he said.
This officer also assists school district employees "with any matters regarding the safety and security of students to provide a safe, positive learning environment," and acts as an immediate first responder to any and all threats to the safety and security of district employees and students, said Weaver, adding that the SRO also acts as a liaison between the school district and the city.
While her name was not mentioned during the meeting, the current SRO is Rose Lacey.
In a discussion on the salary, Councilman Woody Johnson said the SRO "is a big plus for the school and for our youth."
Councilman Jimmy Norris asked Weaver how an SRO salary compares to that of a patrol officer.
Weaver replied that while $40,000 is higher than that of a starting patrol officer, Lacey has more than 20 years experience as an SRO.
Councilwoman Monika Cronberg said that Lacey works "well beyond the regular school hours," yet does not receive extra compensation beyond regular school hours.
"I'd like to see the school pay for half of it," said Norris, prior to the unanimous vote. "I think they should stand on their own feet."
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