SRO Funding

SRO Grant & School Safety Revolving Fund

Sample MOU

FAQ

House Bill 2903
SRO Mid-Year Report

PURPOSE

An Act relating to school security; creating a pilot program known as the School Resource Officer Program; directing the State Department of Education to administer the program; requiring completion of certain law enforcement training; defining terms; creating the School Security Revolving Fund; designating Department to administer fund; specifying the source of funds and expenditures from the fund; providing procedures for payment of expenditures; limiting annual expenditures from the fund; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

• Establishing and maintaining a School Resource Officer Program; and
• Providing physical security enhancements for schools including, but not limited to: school resource officers, cameras, gates, lighting, locks, doors, windows, security geofencing, and ballistic storm shelters.
• Monies in the School Security Revolving Fund shall supplement and not supplant existing school security funding.

For purposes of this section, "school resource officer" means a law enforcement officer with sworn authority and training in school-based law enforcement and crisis response assigned by an employing law enforcement agency to work collaboratively with one or more schools using community-oriented policing concepts.

PROCESS OVERVIEW

• Getting Started Project Code 376 "School Resource Officer Program"
• Review the guidance document for tools and resources
• Develop an itemized budget and upload it into GMS.
• Submit invoices to OSDE for reimbursement through GMS.

Schools are encouraged to develop/sign and upload a MOU for the hiring of an SRO

• Sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

FAQ

What can be purchased with this grant?

Districts can hire a new SRO but cannot supplant funding for a current SRO.  Monies may also be spent on providing physical security enhancements as approved including, but not limited to, cameras, gates, lighting, locks, doors, windows, security geofencing, and ballistic storm shelters.

Can we hire staff?  

Only an SRO. "School Resource Officer" means a law enforcement officer with sworn authority and training in school-based law enforcement and crisis response who is assigned by an employing law enforcement agency to work collaboratively with one or more schools using community-oriented policing concepts

Schools will need to create and sign an MOU with the employing law enforcement agency outlining SRO duties, salary, etc. The MOU must be uploaded into GMS under the "Upload" tab. (Sample MOU)

What training is required of an SRO?

According to HB 2903, an SRO shall "successfully complete law enforcement active shooter emergency response training given by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) and approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.

What school funds can be used for purchase of safety and security items to be reimbursed through the SRO Grant?

Schools must use their General Fund only (not their building Fund).

Can we hire a security guard who is a retired law enforcement officer? 

For purposes of this section, "school resource officer" means a law enforcement officer with sworn authority and training in school-based law enforcement and crisis response assigned by an employing law enforcement agency to work collaboratively with one or more schools using community-oriented policing concepts. Exceptions can be a retired law enforcement officer or a licensed security guard. Please see more information in FAQ below.

"SB 1521 modifies the School Resource Officer Program. The measure directs participating districts to give first priority to employing or contracting with a law enforcement officer who is assigned by an employing agency but allows a district to employ or contract with a retired law enforcement officer or a licensed security guard. The hired individual must be pre-authorized by the local law enforcement agency and the school must conduct a background check. The measure states that if such an individual is employed or contracted, the law enforcement agency that serves the area in which the school district is located must provide the individual with a police band radio system to be used in the performance of his or her duties. House Amendment to SB 1521 requires local law enforcement agencies to preauthorize employed school resource officers and mandates officers have access to the local law enforcement agencies' radio system."

Can funds be used to build a safe room?    

Yes, ballistic storm shelters are an allowable expense. 

Can we spend our 3-year allocation in year 1?

No. Reimbursement limits are applied annually 

Must purchases be linked to a threat and vulnerability assessment?  

No, nothing in this law ties purchases to an assessment, but purchases should be “reasonable and link directly to school safety best practices.” You may reach out to the Office of School Safety and Security staff for support and guidance in determining purchasing priorities and identifying available supports through the implementation process. 

Can funds be used to send school staff to conferences?

Funding can only be used for the required SRO training as stated in the law. 
Approved conferences include:

• NASRO National Association of School Resource Officer Conference

Can a school district purchase a weapon and/or ammunition for the SRO?

No, funding cannot be used to purchase weapons, tasers, or ammunition.

Can a school district purchase a vehicle for the SRO?

Automobiles are not an allowable expense, however, ATV/UTVs, side-by-side, or golf carts for use in patrolling school grounds or responding to incidents is an allowable expense.

Can we add outdoor lighting? 

Lighting used to enhance the safety and security of school facilities is an allowable expense. Other lighting projects, eg, lighting for athletic fields, courts, and fine arts buildings are not allowable. 

Can we upgrade our intercom system? 

New intercom systems or upgrades to existing intercom systems used for providing additional crisis communications are allowable expenses.  

Can we purchase Drones for safety at big events?

Yes, this is an allowable expense if you provide proof that pilot is an FAA certified Remote Licensed Pilot.

Can we purchase body cams for our SROs?

Yes, that is an allowable expense.

Can funds be used to purchase K-9 units, K-9 dogs, K-9 Dog training, etc?

No, these are not allowable expenses. 

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