TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 23, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CLAREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
On November 28, 2023, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Claremont Unified School District (CUSD) for the provision of School Resource Officer (SRO) services. Under the terms of the agreement, CUSD assumed responsibility for funding the SRO position for the officer’s actual school days worked.
The MOU included an initial one-year term, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, and authorized the City Manager to execute up to two one-year extensions. Both extension options were exercised for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Accordingly, City Council approval of a new agreement is required for the continuation of SRO services beyond June 30, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Claremont Unified School District for School Resource Officer services for an initial term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with four optional one-year extensions.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Do not approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Claremont and the Claremont Unified School District for a School Resource Officer position.
B. Request additional information.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
In 2022-23, the agreement included an equally shared funding arrangement between the City of Claremont and Claremont Unified School District. The total fully burdened cost of the position assigned to SRO services was $216,836, with the City and CUSD each contributing $108,418 to fund that position for the fiscal year.
In 2023-24, the agreement included the same funding arrangement with equally shared funding responsibilities from the City of Claremont and Claremont Unified School District. The total fully burdened cost of the position assigned to the SRO services was $227,788, with the City and CUSD each contributing $113,894 to fund that position for the fiscal year.
In 2024-25 and 2025-26, the agreement included a funding arrangement with CUSD paying the costs of the actual days worked by the SRO while school was in session and the City paying the remainder of the costs for the assigned position. During 2024-25, the total fully burdened cost of the position assigned to SRO services was $183,129, with CUSD contributing $110,700 and the City contributing $85,420 to fund that position for the fiscal year. During 2025-26, the total fully burdened cost of the position assigned to SRO services was $194,236, with CUSD contributing $109,258 and the City contributing $84,978 to fund that position for the fiscal year.
The staff cost to prepare this report is estimated at $1,000 and is included in the operating budgets of the Administrative Services and Police Departments.
ANALYSIS
In September 2020, the Claremont Police Commission established an ad hoc committee to evaluate the School Resource Officer (SRO) position. Over a nine-month period, the committee facilitated discussions regarding the SRO program during seven public meetings. At the conclusion of its review, the Commission forwarded seven recommendations to the City Council.
One recommendation approved by the City Council was to establish a representative working group consisting of City and school officials, Police Department representatives, students, parents, and community leaders to evaluate school safety and student well-being and to develop recommendations for a reimagined SRO program that reflected the needs of students, staff, and the broader community.
Following extensive discussion and stakeholder engagement, the SRO Working Group developed a framework for the SRO position and presented its recommendations to the City Council on September 27, 2022. The City Council approved the framework and referred it to the Claremont Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Education (BOE) for consideration. On November 17, 2022, the BOE reviewed the framework and proposed several modifications to clarify CUSD’s expectations of the position and eliminate potential redundancies. During the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, CUSD conducted additional outreach with students regarding the SRO program. Subsequently, on October 30, 2023, representatives from the City Council, BOE, and City and CUSD staff met to discuss the revised framework and agreed that it appropriately reflected student feedback and community input.
On November 28, 2023, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and CUSD for the provision of SRO services. Under the terms of the agreement, CUSD assumed responsibility for funding the SRO position for the officer’s actual school days worked. School days are defined as days during which the officer assigned as the SRO is regularly scheduled to perform SRO duties, excluding holidays and approved leave. Prior to approval of the MOU, the City and CUSD shared the salary and benefit costs of the position equally.
The MOU included an initial one-year term, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, and authorized the City Manager to execute up to two one-year extensions. Both extension options were exercised for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Accordingly, City Council approval of a new agreement is required for the continuation of SRO services beyond June 30, 2026.
City and CUSD staff continue to view the SRO program as a valuable resource for students, parents, teachers, and school administrators. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a new MOU with CUSD for SRO services beginning July 1, 2026, with four optional one-year extensions. Consistent with the current agreement, CUSD would remain responsible for funding the SRO position for the officer’s actual school days worked unless otherwise directed by the City Council. If approved, the City would continue to invoice CUSD semiannually for the cost of providing SRO services.
LEGAL REVIEW
The MOU has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Adam Pirrie Katie Wand
City Manager Deputy City Manager