Streator Elementary seeks to renew contract for school resource officer

Streator city manager recommends council make the approval

The Streator Elementary District wants to renew its contract with the city of Streator for a school resource officer for the 2021-2022 school year.

Streator City Manager David Plyman is recommending the City Council approve an agreement with the elementary district during its special City Council meeting 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, at City Hall, 204 S. Bloomington St.

Streator Police officer Jordan Risley serves as the school’s resource officer.

The agreement will include a change in how crossing guard services are provided for the elementary district. The city levies a property tax and provides for three crossing guards in Streator using part-time city employees; two guards serve the elementary district and one serves St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School.

Under the proposed contract, the district will use district employees to perform crossing guard duties. The city will credit the district for these services by reducing the district’s payment for the school resource officer’s services, offset by the proceeds of the property tax levy.

The Streator Elementary District pays two-thirds of the school resource officer program, which amounts to about $72,910.05 total — prior to the city’s labor agreement with its police union. After the cost of the crossing guard services are credited to the school district, the cost to the district figures to be about $5,017.50 per month, Plyman said.

“I believe it is in the city’s interest to continue the SRO program,” Plyman said. “It is a critical component of our community policing program and the district’s financial contribution allows us to keep an additional officer on our roster.”

While the elementary school district opted to renew its school resource officer contract with the city, Streator High School opted out. The high school board seeks to hire a former or retired police officer.