The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is offering additional one time state funds through the School Resource Officer and School Security Officer Incentive Grant Program to establish new School Resource Officer (SRO) positions in local law enforcement agencies and new School Security Officer (SSO) positions in local school divisions. A Sheriff’s Office or School Division may manage the SRO/SSO program but the grant application must be submitted by and the funds awarded to a unit of local government.
In May 2018, Spotsylvania County submitted six grant applications consisting of two SRO continuation requests and four new SRO positions. The continuation grant applications were approved while the request for funding for the new positions was denied.
This new funding includes several significant changes from prior grant solicitations. It is one-time funding although grant continuation may be considered as state funds are available. The total grant award, including state funds and local match, has increased from $50,000 to $70,000. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for one year beginning October 1, 2018 and ending September 30, 2019.
As in previous solicitations, the grant does require a minimum local match as identified in the 2018-2020 Composite Index of Local Ability-to-Pay. Spotsylvania County’s rate is 36.27%. Grant funds can only be used to pay for salary and benefits for SRO/SSO positions. Any costs associated with the implementation of the SRO/SSO program above the grant award must be borne by the County, Sheriff’s Office, and/or the Schools. The SRO/SSO position must be assigned to one secondary or elementary school and cannot rotate to other schools.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office would like to request one new SRO position for a school that does not currently have a dedicated SRO. The identification of the selected school most in need of a SRO was made in consultation with the School Superintendent, the Director of School Safety, and the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.
If approved, the Sheriff’s Office would request $44,028 in grant funds for the first year. The required local match funding will be $25,057; however, it is estimated that an additional $8,436 of local funding will be needed to cover the additional costs associated with mandatory DCJS SRO training, and operating costs for the requested position. If awarded, it is anticipated that this position would utilize a surplus vehicle.
The local required match is available within the FY19 Adopted Budget. If awarded, the Sheriff’s Office proposes to utilize funding from their existing FY 2019 Adopted Budget and/or asset forfeiture funds to cover the costs of the operating supplies.
The anticipated cost and funding source for the new SRO position for the first year are as follows:
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First Year Costs
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Grant Funding
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Local Funding
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Total Costs
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Personnel
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$44,028 - From the DCJS SRO Grant Opportunity if awarded
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$25,057
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$69,085
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Operating Costs
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$8,436
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$8,436
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Vehicle
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$0 -A surplus vehicles will be used for this position.
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$0
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Total
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$44,028
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$33,493
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$77,521
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After the first year and assuming that continuation grant funding is not available, it is anticipated that ongoing personnel and operating cost for the position will be approximately $75,832.
The grant application is due on August 24, 2018.