Gilroy Unified trustees decline to authorize applying for COPS grant after debate over long‑term cost

Mister Mesa, a district staff member, told the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education on May 2 that the U.S. Department of Justice 2024 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring grant would provide a maximum of $125,000 over three years and is not regionally adjusted. Mesa said that structure results in the grant covering roughly 15% of the district’s share for a new school‑resource officer (SRO), leaving the district and the city responsible for escalating costs after the grant ends.

Why it matters: trustees worried the grant’s terms would create a long‑term budget obligation. Mesa warned the fourth year requires the hiring agency to fully fund the officer and that the district’s share could rise as salaries and pension costs increase.

Board debate focused on cost and timing. Trustee Pesano said the $125,000 figure looked promising at first but, after reading the grant terms, concluded it would cover “about 15%” of the district’s cost. Trustee Goode noted the district’s present budget strain and declining enrollment and said the district does not have “another $150,000” to add to its annual commitments. Trustee Pacino and others agreed the grant’s limited share and the required fourth‑year funding make it unattractive without a concrete agreement with the city.

Mister Mesa outlined grant mechanics: it covers up to 75% of an entry‑level officer’s cost but is capped at the $125,000 total (three‑year) amount and is not regionally adjusted, producing a local obligation of roughly $41,000 per year in the first year and higher amounts thereafter as compensation rises. He also flagged the grant’s reporting requirements and administrative burden.

Several trustees said the district could continue to search for more favorable grants but that they were reluctant to commit to adding a third SRO without substantially larger outside funding. Trustee Pesano noted that adding positions requires both district and city action: the district would request the city provide an officer, and the city council would have to approve funding on its side.

Outcome: after questions and discussion and with no trustee offering a motion to give the district permission to apply, the board declined to take action on the COPS application at this meeting. The staff briefing will remain in the record and staff said they will continue to search for grants with more favorable financial terms.

What’s next: if trustees later decide to pursue adding a third SRO, the board would first need to approve the position and then coordinate with the city on hiring and cost‑sharing. Mesa said staff will continue to monitor grant opportunities and will present fiscal analyses as needed.

Quotation: “The grant provides 75% of an entry level officer except that it’s not regionally adjusted,” Mister Mesa said, adding the $125,000 cap is spread over three years so it does not produce the 75% local relief trustees expected.

Ending: No motion to apply was made at the May 2 meeting; trustees signaled they prefer to seek larger or more regionally adjusted grant support before adding a new SRO position.