PIEDMONT — The issue of a school resource officer (SRO) on Piedmont campuses is still in limbo after another discussion by the school board at its recent meeting.
At an earlier meeting, board members had asked police Chief Jeremy Bowers and school Superintendent Randy Booker to craft an amended proposal in which the SRO would stay off campuses but ready to respond whenever needed. This decision was based on opposition from parents, students and the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee, all of whom were against having an armed officer on campus daily, saying it would intimidate students, particularly those of color. Many felt that mental health and health education counselors would serve the students better.
The city’s Police Department received a $391,599 grant from the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act that would fund the officer for three years. The armed, sworn officer would serve many roles on campus: as a counselor, social worker and teacher partnering in classrooms with a Piedmont school teachers in addition to any law enforcement role.
Booker at that earlier meeting said vaping at schools, alcohol and marijuana use were problems at times on campuses, in addition to mental health crises, weapons on campuses or other incidents that required calls to police. Booker and Bowers support the SRO concept. Several parents spoke at the most recent meeting to support the SRO proposal. Lindsay Collins and Dana Murray read a letter from seven mothers of 17 children saying they support the concept on grounds that they wants schools to be safe places to learn and teach. Others offered qualified support.
“The grant could be helpful, but no gun, no uniform on campus,” Carey Corcoran said.
But there were still unresolved issues voiced by the three school board members present March 13 — Sarah Pearson, Cory Smegal and Megan Pillsbury. No action was taken.
“I can see the benefit of a school resource officer, but we need to take a step back and review our overall policies and safety plan,” Pillsbury said.
Smegal echoed Pillsbury saying, “This (new) proposal does not address a majority of our concerns.”
Bowers presented a summary of the enhancements an SRO would bring: an alcohol/tobacco diversion program; substance abuse workshops; teaching faculty and staff on recognizing the signs of being under the influence; and more support on civics, law and social psychology. Bowers said the grant is only earmarked for an SRO. The state Justice Department must be notified of a decision to use the grant or not by April.
In other business: Financial officer Ruth Alahydoian reviewed the second interim financial report. The school district will be able to meet its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years. The 3 percent general fund reserve requirement will be met. The board voted 3-0 to approve it.
According to her report, the district has identified $1.2 million in ongoing budget reductions, including four full-time equivalents in certificated and administrator reductions, classified reductions of 2.4 full-time employees and $650,000 in contracted service reductions.
Increased revenues and reduced expenditures will result in a balanced budget for 2019-20. In 2020-21 the district will need to make an additional $460,000 in budget adjustments. The most revenue comes from the state, 53 percent; followed by the parcel tax, 25.42 percent; and the Piedmont Education Foundation endowment, 6.6 percent, for projected revenues 2019-20 at $40,894,793. Teacher salaries are the highest expenditure at 43.59 percent of the budget; followed by benefits, 25 percent; certificated salaries, 13.8 percent; and services, 12.2 percent, for an ending balance of $41,581,995.
