Goodhue County Debates School Resource Officer Funding Amid Budget Challenges
- Meeting Overview:
The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners’ recent meeting focused on the contentious issue of school resource officer (SRO) contracts, with discussions on the funding model and implications for school districts. The debate centered around whether current financial arrangements adequately support law enforcement needs in schools and how to achieve a more equitable distribution of resources.
24:40The meeting’s primary focus was on the school resource officer contracts, which are set to expire soon, prompting the board to consider changes to the terms and fees. The existing contracts require schools to cover about 60% of the costs. However, this arrangement has drawn criticism for being potentially inequitable across different school districts. One board member raised concerns about the fairness of the current funding model, suggesting that some districts effectively subsidize others, which is unfair to county taxpayers. There was a suggestion to establish a fixed funding amount, ranging from $200,000 to $300,000, distributed based on school district population, to ensure a more balanced allocation.
33:38The discussion also explored the potential for adding three more SROs to meet increasing demand from schools. However, there was hesitation from some board members about committing to additional officers without a review of workload and costs. The proposal for a one-year contract at $71,000 was put forward, with discussions on extending it to a second year at the policing contract rate, but challenges in determining actual costs remained a hurdle.
20:55Participants highlighted the necessity for accurate cost assessments to aid schools in their budgeting processes, especially given their levy constraints. Some members suggested a two-year contract might be more practical, allowing more time for a review of costs, but acknowledged that it could complicate budgeting if actual costs rose.
30:56The conversation touched upon the broader implications of a safe schools levy, with a participant noting that school boards have limited flexibility in levying amounts for school safety initiatives. The levy has not changed in over a decade, prompting discussion on whether an increase might be warranted to support school safety funding more effectively.
05:33As the debate unfolded, the board recognized the urgency of deciding on the contract terms, stressing the importance of clarity on costs for the school districts’ financial planning. A board member noted, “If we’re going to do this, I want everybody around this table to understand that means there’s a really hard push from now till September,” emphasizing the need for timely decisions.
47:20The meeting also addressed the broader issue of park funding distribution, with a board member voicing concerns about prioritizing funds for a park situated far from many county residents. This sparked a broader conversation about ensuring equitable funding for parks across different districts.
Scott O. Arneson
County Council Officials:
Linda Flanders, Brad Anderson, Todd Greseth, Jason Majerus, Susan Betcher
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Meeting Type:
County Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
03/18/2025
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Recording Published:
03/24/2025
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Duration:
50 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Minnesota
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County:
Goodhue County
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Towns:
Belle Creek Township, Bellechester, Belvidere Township, Cannon Falls, Cannon Falls Township, Cherry Grove Township, Dennison, Featherstone Township, Florence Township, Goodhue, Goodhue Township, Hay Creek Township, Holden Township, Kenyon, Kenyon Township, Leon Township, Minneola Township, Pine Island, Pine Island Township, Red Wing, Roscoe Township, Stanton Township, Vasa Township, Wacouta Township, Wanamingo, Wanamingo Township, Warsaw Township, Welch Township, Zumbrota, Zumbrota Township
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