Board discusses possible expansion of SROs and bringing therapy dog to elementary schools

Administration told the board it is continuing to develop an updated intergovernmental agreement with the city regarding School Resource Officers (SROs) and related supports.

The board heard that the district currently has two SROs and that a NASRO staffing metric was discussed; administration noted a community population and student enrollment estimate and that an expanded staffing model could approach the 1 per 1,000 student ratio recommended by NASRO. Trustees discussed shared‑cost arrangements under the IGA with the city and the possibility of adding one to two SROs if the city concurs. Administration said legal review is ongoing; if all goes well the updated agreement would be presented to the city in January and may return to the board in February for additional consideration.

Trustees also raised the therapy‑dog program. Dooley, the therapy dog introduced while a prior SRO (Caitlin Peterson) served the district, could be made available to elementary buildings when appropriate. Board members recalled past community partnerships that supplied therapy dogs for funerals and other events and noted the program's value for staff and students. There was no action taken; trustees requested continued coordination with the city and updates on legal review and timing.