Greenville ISD received notification from the City Manager on June 2^nd, 2016, that some City Council members expressed concern with the City’s budget and felt GISD should fully fund the cost of the three School Resource Officers (SROs) effective October 1, 2016. A similar suggestion had been offered a year earlier, but after productive meetings, the contract was renegotiated and GISD and the City remained in agreement to each pay 50% of two SRO salaries. A third officer, 100% funded by Greenville ISD, was also hired as a result of these negotiations.

The current contract for the SRO arrangement automatically ends on July 31, 2016. After careful administration consideration, support from the Greenville ISD Board of Trustees, and advice from the district’s attorney, it has been decided to create a Greenville ISD Police Department.

Creating a GISD Police Department delivers several advantages to providing safety and security for GISD students and staff. Foremost, the hiring of a GISD Chief of Police and two additional officers who all perform duty without divided loyalty between GISD and the City will enhance prompt service dedicated solely to the district. Because the Chief and two officers will be employees of the district, they will also be more acutely aware of Greenville ISD’s priorities, policies and procedures.

In the past three years, there were 127 school days in which at least one of the SROs was not present in the district. Creating a Greenville ISD Police Department will ensure there is abundant coverage year-round and allow the district to better ensure safety priorities are being met each school day.

The City was requesting GISD to assume more financial responsibility for the SROs. Because SROs are employees of the City of Greenville, attend police trainings on school days, and do not work within Greenville ISD schools year-round, it would be fiscally irresponsible for GISD to assume the full cost of their salaries and benefits. Creating a GISD police department will in fact be more cost effective than paying the cost of three SROs.

Superintendent Don Jefferies stated, “Our number one priority will always be to return students to their parents physically and emotionally safe and secure at the end of each school day. After careful analysis of our options, it has been determined that creating a GISD Police Department will most suitably address that priority.”

Greenville ISD is following advice from the district’s attorney, regulations of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, and procedures of the Texas Education Agency to create the GISD Police Department. This month, Greenville ISD will create a GISD PD formation committee comprised of administrators, community members, and parent representatives to discuss details of the police department. A Director of School Security will be hired in early August to conduct a district safety needs assessment and to oversee the development of the Greenville ISD Police Department. After successful completion of these tasks and approval by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, it will be the intent for the Director of School Security to become Greenville ISD Chief of Police and to hire two additional officers.

Those with questions are encouraged to contact Kelli Tharp, Chief Communications and Business Development Officer, at 903.408.4483 or tharpk@greenvilleisd.com.