July 19, 2022
LocalNewsOnly
The City of Colleyville placed a high priority on additional school safety measures, specifically providing School Resources Officers (SROs) assigned to each public school in Colleyville. Currently, there are officers assigned to Colleyville Heritage Hight School and the two middle schools. The elementary schools and the alternative school are covered by sharing the three current SROs on a part-time basis.
Police Chief, Michael C. Miller
However, over the last several years, there has been increased community support for having a SRO in each school, particularly since tragic events in schools across the U.S. have been reported in the news. This is a complex issue given our school district has schools in three cities, Colleyville, Grapevine and Keller.
Additional SROs come with funding challenges. At the June 21st Colleyville Crime Control and Prevention District (CCCPD) budget work session, the City Council provided direction to include funding for six additional SROs in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The CCCPD budget receives funding from the 1/2 cent dedicated sales tax approved by voters in 1999 and reauthorized in 2003. No additional property tax revenue will be necessary to fund the new officers. The CCCPD budget is scheduled for approved by the CCCPD Board on July 6th and the City Council on August 2nd. Funding will then become available with the start of the new fiscal year on October 1st, at which point the hiring process will begin. It is anticipated that it will take at least 12 months to hire the additional personnel, with the intent to have the new SROs in schools for the 2023-2024 school year. As the plans progress, the City of Colleyville will provide more details.
