CALDWELL, Idaho — On Monday, the Caldwell City Council approved the Caldwell School District's request for Student Resource Officers to return to school grounds.
The decision follows the district's receipt of federal funding through the state, which allows for the contracting of one SRO. Additionally, the recent approval of an $8.2 million supplemental levy has enabled the district to budget for an extra SRO.
"Decisions had to be made in order to continue to be solvent as a district and make good decisions for kids," said Caldwell School District Superintendent Dr. French.
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However, the district says their primary goal was to bring School Resource Officers back to work in coordination with a private security firm, Eagle Eye.
"Because having those SROs in our schools is vital to creating relationships with our students and enhancing our student and staff safety," said Jessica Watts, spokesperson
The contract for each resource officer has increased over the years.
This year’s renewed contract will cost $90,134 a year per officer, with future renewals projected to rise by nearly $10,000 each school year, which the district tells me they have budgeted for.
But the district has also made staff cuts due to a decrease in state funding.
"There was some change in the state budget allocation to schools and then we've been informed to expect a 6% reduction from that allocation," said Superintendent Dr. French.
In addition, the district did not anticipate a federal freeze that has left them with additional unanswered questions.
"We are in the midst of determining next steps," said Superintendent Dr. French.
"We are planning, if we do have federal funding, to have Eagle Eye Security in our schools for them to work with the Caldwell Police," said Jessica Watts, spokesperson.
The two schools that will receive Student Resource Officers include Caldwell High School and a second officer who will be shared between Canyon Springs High School and Syringa Middle School.
Related: Timing couldn't be worse;' Federal funding freeze leaves Idaho school districts scrambling
She noted that the district is uncertain whether it will be able to retain the private security service, Eagle Eye, to provide additional security at other schools in the district. They are making contingency plans in case the need arises.
"Right now like many other school districts we are just kinda waiting to see what that federal funding will look like," said Jessica Watts, spokesperson.
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