The School District 54 Board of Education has approved a three-year intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Schaumburg, beginning January 10, 2023, in affect through July 31, 2025. This agreement increases the number of assigned School Resource Officers (SROs) covering Schaumburg elementary and middle schools from two to three.  

The school district and the police department recognize the importance of school safety and increasing acts of violence we have seen across our country. Adding a third SRO will provide an increased presence at the area middle and elementary schools. This additional presence is currently being supplemented by patrol officers who have been assigned to do daily checks at all schools in their beats. This additional presence has been well received by parents and school district teachers and staff. The current police department staffing is insufficient for the third SRO to be immediately staffed. The school district has been made aware that the position will be filled when staffing levels allow. The school district will not reimburse for the position until it is filled. 

The proposed 2021-2025 District 54 SRO contract remains largely the same as previous years except for the date changes and the officer’s salary, which will continue to increase each year according to the officer’s current collective bargaining agreement.  School District 54 will continue to reimburse the village for 75% of the annual cost, $121,797 per officer (3 officers $365,391). Current costs with benefits for an entry level police officer is $162,395. As in past years, the three SROs will be assigned to the district for the duration of the school year. They will be assigned various duties which may extend beyond regular work hours for events or activities, and it shall be the responsibility of the school district to reimburse the police department for any overtime costs. The addition of the third SRO will bring the authorized police department sworn staffing from 117 to 118 officers. 

This program has been beneficial to the police department and the school district for many years and has assisted in providing opportunities to mitigate issues and respond more quickly to reported police incidents.  Additionally, the SRO is used for various public education initiatives at the schools, which assists the police department in ensuring members of the community are well informed and aware of available resources. 

During the summer months, the SROs are assigned to the patrol or investigations division, dependent on department needs at the time.  Typically, summer activity is busier and patrol officers have scheduled vacation time off. These positions will be able to supplement patrol staffing and, in some instances, reduce overtime costs as an added benefit to the village.