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Approve an agreement with the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District to provide community policing through a School Resource Officer assigned to Tolenas Elementary School and Suisun Valley Elementary School for the period of August 20, 2026, through June 30, 2027; Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the agreement and any subsequent amendments, pending County Counsel concurrence, up to an annual aggregate of $74,999; and Authorize the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and Director of Administrative Services to execute amendments which are technical or administrative in nature
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Published Notice Required? Yes No X
Public Hearing Required? Yes No X
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Sheriff recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve an agreement with the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District to provide community policing through a School Resource Officer assigned to Tolenas Elementary School and Suisun Valley Elementary School for the period of August 20, 2026, through June 30, 2027;
2. Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the agreement and any subsequent amendments, pending County Counsel concurrence, up to an annual aggregate of $74,999; and
3. Authorize the Sheriff, Undersheriff, and Director of Administrative Services to execute amendments which are technical or administrative in nature.
SUMMARY:
California Education Code section 32261 encourages school districts and law enforcement agencies to develop collaborative strategies and programs to improve school safety, increase school attendance, and reduce crime, including vandalism, substance abuse, and gang activity. The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) would like to partner with Solano County to provide a safe school environment for all students by the Sheriff’s Office assignment of a Deputy Sheriff to Tolenas Elementary School and Suisun Valley Elementary School campuses, located in the unincorporated areas of Solano County. The Deputy Sheriff would serve as a School Resource Officer (SRO), acting as a law-related educator, an informal counselor and mentor to students, and a law enforcement officer.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The annualized cost of salary and benefits for a Deputy Sheriff is $227,741. The proposed agreement obligates FSUSD to provide the Sheriff’s Office with District funds equal to fifty percent of the assigned Deputy Sheriff’s base wages only, or $74,289 for FY2026/27. The Sheriff’s FY2026/27 Working Budget contains sufficient appropriations to cover the wage and benefit cost as the Sheriff has chosen to reassign an existing Deputy Sheriff. Expenditures will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis by FSUSD and will not impact the County’s cash flow.
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2026/27 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Sheriff’s Office believes an SRO program provides a proactive approach to campus safety by combining law enforcement, education, mentoring, and emergency preparedness. In addition to responding to criminal activity, SROs work collaboratively with school administrators, students, and families to promote a safe learning environment. The core roles and responsibilities of an SRO program are described below.
Law Enforcement: SROs handle on-campus criminal activity, investigate incidents, and maintain a visible presence to deter threats. They work with school administration to distinguish between student discipline (handled by school staff) and criminal infractions (handled by SRO).
Safety and Emergency Management: SROs assist the schools in developing school safety plans, conduct security audits, and act as the first responder during emergencies.
Education: SROs teach students about law-related topics such as drug awareness, crime prevention, conflict resolution, and internet safety.
Counseling and Mentoring: SROs build trust with students, acting as informal mentors and liaisons to community resources and social services.
Community Liaison: SROs build relationships between law enforcement agencies, schools, students, and parents, often attending extracurricular events to foster a positive environment.
Typical duties include:
• Patrolling hallways, lunchrooms, and parking lots.
• Mentoring students and addressing behavioral concerns.
• Investigating reports of vandalism, drug use, or physical altercations.
• Providing traffic control for school arrival and dismissal.
• Serving as a member of the school’s threat assessment team.
Studies and operational experience indicate that well-implemented SRO programs can provide a number of benefits, including:
• Prevention or minimization of property damage in the school and surrounding areas.
• Prevention of student injuries and even death due to violence, drug overdoses, etc.
• Reduction of the need for schools to call 911.
• Reduction of the likelihood that a student will develop a criminal record.
• Increase of the likelihood that students (particularly those with mental health issues) will get the help they need from the social service and health care systems.
• Increase in feelings of safety among students and school staff.
At this time, FSUSD has requested one School Resource Officer (SRO) to split time between Tolenas Elementary School and Suisun Valley Elementary School. These are the only two public schools located in the unincorporated areas of Solano County. FSUSD partners with the Fairfield Police Department to provide SRO services to schools within the City of Fairfield. Although assigning one SRO to serve both campuses is not the preferred long-term model, the Sheriff's Office and FSUSD are actively exploring funding opportunities to support the addition of a second SRO.
The Sheriff’s Office looks forward to supporting Tolenas Elementary School and Suisun Valley Elementary School beginning with the 2026/27 school year.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to approve the agreement; however, this is not recommended because it would eliminate the opportunity to provide dedicated SRO services at Tolenas Elementary School and Suisun Valley Elementary School and the associated benefits of enhanced campus safety, student engagement, and collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and the school district.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the proposed agreement as to form.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION