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- School Resource Officers
Friday, April 19, 2024
On August 17, 2022, the State of Texas Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office – Criminal Justice Division, announced that it was accepting immediate applications for the Bullet-Resistant Shield Grant Program, FY2023.
The Texas Rifle Shield Grant provides up to 50 million dollars in funding to eligible agencies specifically to purchase rifle-rated ballistic shields to respond to an active attacker scenario at schools. The Southlake Police Department completed the applications and was awarded a grant for $156,000.
After receiving the grant, on February 7, 2023, the Southlake City Council approved the purchase of 26 bullet-resistant shields for all Southlake school resource officers.
“I am proud of the work our staff has put into procuring this grant,” Chief James Brandon said. “The purchase of these shields is one more tool that our SROs and patrol officers have to increase safety.”
Southlake City Manager Shana Yelverton has submitted the proposed FY 2023 Budget to the City Council for consideration.
The proposed operating budget includes a .03 cent property tax decrease, a 20% homestead exemption for homeowners, significant investments into safety and security, and roads and road capacity.
Homeowner Taxpayer Relief and Reducing Debt
The proposed operating budget reduces the ad valorem rate to $0.3600, the fifth consecutive tax rate reduction and the lowest rate in Southlake since the mid-1980s.
“We are strongly committed to reducing the property tax burden on our residents and businesses while maintaining our high standards of excellence in city services because that’s what our citizens deserve,” said Mayor John Huffman.
He also noted that, for the fifth year in a row, this year’s cut puts the tax rate below the no new revenue rate, meaning that the proposed tax rate is set lower than the rate required to raise the same revenue as the prior fiscal year.
Southlake’s 20% homestead exemption continues for FY 2023, the highest amount allowed by law. The 20% homestead exemption means homeowners of an average-valued Southlake home will receive the equivalent of an approximate seven-cent tax rate reduction.
What’s included in the budget?
For FY 2023, one priority focus is school safety and additional funding for our School Resource Officer Program. The City will expand the division by adding three more officers and a division captain for a total of 19 officers. In addition, the proposed budget includes funding for police and fire equipment and to improve traffic safety.
This year’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) prioritizes improved public infrastructure around Southlake. The proposed budget includes:
Funds have also been set aside for future projects, such as additional water system improvements, a public library, and other needs. The CIP is a five-year plan that anticipates future capital improvements and funding sources based on the City’s extensive master planning efforts.
How did the City come up with this proposed budget?
City staff, led by City Manager Shana Yelverton and Chief Financial Officer Sharen Jackson, focused on delivering a budget that provides exceptional services in several focus areas. They include Safety and Security, Mobility, Infrastructure, Quality Development, Partnership and Volunteerism, and Performance Management and Service Delivery.
Throughout the current fiscal year, staff monitors several data sources to help estimate revenue for the upcoming budget year. The staff analyzes various economic scenarios to make financial projection decisions using data from the residential and commercial sectors, employment numbers, consumer spending, and other factors.
For more information about the budget process, visit the Budget Overview section of the FY 2022 Proposed Budget.
What’s the plan going forward?
As Yelverton noted in a presentation before Council on August 16, the budget presented is sustainable into the future. It follows financial guiding principles that position the City for budget stability, even during difficult economic times.
“The FY 2023 proposed budget was developed with the City’s strategic goals in mind,” City Manager Yelverton said. “Multi-year financial planning has guided the way this year as it has in years past. The staff is looking forward to the beginning of the fiscal year with its new opportunities.”
The Council will consider the proposed budget at their September 6, 2022, and September 20, 2022, meetings.
For an in-depth look at the proposed FY 2023 budget, please visit CityofSouthlake.com/FY2023.
Congrats are in order for Southlake Police Officer Anthony Pate who was recently honored as Carroll ISD’s 2022 School Resource Officer (SRO) of the Year.
The School Resource Program is a partnership between the City of Southlake and Carroll ISD that provides enhanced security to schools as well as making an impact using a variety of coaching and mentoring methods. The program started in 2005 with just three police officers and has now expanded to an officer placed at every school in CISD.
Officer Pate has been serving as an SRO for Dawson Middle School since 2018 and has over 14 years’ experience in law enforcement.
According to a statement from Carroll ISD, “Officer Pate is dedicated to our school and community. He is known for building meaningful relationships with students, teachers, parents, and all he serves.
Principals, teachers and administrators all say that he goes above and beyond his duties. Students do not view Officer Pate as “just” a police officer; they know he is someone they can go talk to about any topic or issue they are dealing with. There have been many instances where students have gone to him for concerns because they know he cares and will do anything to help.”
“It’s an honor to receive this award in this great school district. It makes my job a lot easier working with great teachers and administrators in this district,” said Officer Pate.
This is not the first time Officer Pate has received recognition for his work as an SRO, in 2021 he received the National Award of Valor from the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).
When asked what he enjoys most about being an SRO, it was all about the students.
“My favorite part is interacting with students by giving them guidance, education on life choices and most importantly having a meaningful conversation with them,” he stated.
Learn more about the Southlake School Safety program by visiting our website.
The new school year has started, and our school resource officers have hit the ground running to make the 2021-2022 school year great! Since the 2013-2014 school year, an SRO has been assigned to every Carroll ISD school.
The City of Southlake Police Department partners with Carroll ISD to promote and ensure student safety. We are committed to providing a safe campus and environment for the community.
Our world class SROs have been recognized by the National Association of School Resource Officers, Texas Association of School Resource Officers and locally through Carroll ISD.
“We want to create meaningful relationships with the community. If you see us while we’re at school, say hello!” Sgt. Preston Logan said.
Along with providing enhanced security, our SROs are dedicated to making a positive impact by educating students about bullying, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as bicycle safety. Our goal is to be a positive role model for your student through coaching and mentorship.
Learn more about our School Resource Officer Program on our website.
Last school year, the City committed to working with school and law enforcement professionals to form a School Safety Task Force to find new ways to strengthen and enhance school safety in Southlake schools. With several months and multiple recommendations under its belt, the start of a new school year also means schools in Southlake will be starting with additional safety resources.
Each school is assigned a Southlake Police Officer as a School Resource Officer (SRO), this year two additional SROs will be assigned to the high schools.
“With the creation of the School Safety Task Force we made a promise to do more to protect our children. We started to deliver on that last year, and will continue to do so this year,” said Southlake Police Chief James Brandon. “We’ve made some visible changes, and we’ve made some people won’t see, by design. Recent events have created more questions about school safety; the Southlake Police Department SROs are doing everything they can to achieve the highest standards in safety and security in every Carroll ISD school. Parents can rest assured knowing we’re here to do our best to keep their children safe.”
In addition to providing a Southlake Police Officer to each school, each SRO is a trained classroom instructor on topics such as stranger danger, dating safety, internet safety, drug, alcohol and tobacco awareness.
“All of our SROs believe that the safety of the students is paramount when responding to any situation,” notes Chief Brandon. “Working alongside parents is a key factor in that and is a top priority for SROs to help keep students safe.”
Southlake SROs make investments every day to further their mission to keep students safe and focused on learning. The success of the program can be seen in the day-to-day interactions with CISD students.
“All of these efforts resulted in zero student citations,” said Chief Brandon. “I look forward to continuing to see these types of outcomes in Southlake schools in the year to come. Our goal is to make sure students learn and have fun without worrying too much about their safety.”
The Southlake SRO program has been in place since 2005. By the start of the 2013-2014 school year, specially-trained officers were in place at each CISD elementary school and intermediate school in addition to the officers at the middle schools and high schools.
Much of the $1,600,000 funding for these officers is from the Crime Control and Prevention District portion of the City’s sales tax. In 2015, voters re-authorized the district for 20 years helping to ensure the future of SRO program and other safety initiatives.
You can learn more about Southlake School Safety on the City of Southlake website.
As you know, the school year is over and summer has begun. Let’s take a moment to recognize our wonderful School Resource Officers for providing your children with a safe and enriched school year.
The SROs work in partnership with Carroll Independent School District (CISD) to teach students valuable lessons on various topics that they can carry through life.
Here are some highlighted lessons from the 2016-2017 school year:
These are just a few of the many kinds of educational classes provided by the SROs. They also serve as positive role models through coaching and mentoring to help students make good choices and to learn about the consequences of negative behavior.
On May 6, Southlake voters will be able to vote on two ballot measures affecting Carroll Independent School District.
Although the city and school have separate ballots, voters who reside in both will help decide the future of the 2017 School Bond Proposition and the 1/8 sales tax that funds crime control and prevention programs, which includes funding for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program.
Information on the school bond election can be found at CarrollBudget.com. Only CISD residents may vote in the school bond election. Because the boundaries of the city do not completely align with the boundaries for the school district, there are CISD residents who live in west Grapevine, Westlake, Colleyville and Keller who can vote in the school bond election, but not in the City of Southlake crime tax election. If you are uncertain which city or school district election in which you are eligible to vote, contact the Tarrant County Elections office.
The Southlake Crime Control and Prevention District has been in place since 1997. During the past 20 years, the sales tax has funded the construction of the City’s three public safety facilities and the purchase of necessary equipment such as radio upgrades, body and dash cameras, SWAT equipment, security cameras, rifles, technology upgrades and Town Square security. Since 2013, the crime tax funds have paid for uniformed, trained officers at every Carroll ISD campus. These School Resource Officers are not CISD employees, but rather work for the City of Southlake.
The city ballot asks voters whether they support or oppose continuation of the 1/8 sales tax that is already in place. It does not create a new sales tax. All voters are required to present an approved form of identification in order to vote in any Texas election. Election Day takes place Saturday, May 6. Southlake voters must go to their county precinct polling location on election day. For many City of Southlake residents who also reside in Carroll ISD, that site is the Carroll Senior High School art building.
Early voting, however, is April 24 through May 2 at any Tarrant County early voting site, which includes the third floor of Southlake Town Hall in Southlake Town Square.
As a side note, CISD Trustees all ran unopposed, as did the city candidates, so the elections for School Board Trustee and City Council have been canceled.
Three months after the horrific school shooting in Newtown Connecticut, a task force focused on school security and student well-being has recommended placing School Resource Police Officers (SROs) at every Southlake public school. The goal is to have the officers in place by the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year.
On March 19th, task force member and Southlake Police Chief Steve Mylett made the recommendation to the City Council explaining the plan’s history and importance.
“The goals of the SRO program include enhancing security on all Southlake public school campuses, reducing community fear regarding child safety, and reducing the likelihood of drug and alcohol use,” said Chief Mylett.
He also explained that under the current program, a full time School Resource Officer is stationed at Carroll Senior High School, with another one assigned at Carroll High School. A third officer splits time between the City’s two middle schools: Dawson and Carroll. The Task Force recommendation expands the program from three employees to 13 employees to cover an additional eight schools including Florence Elementary which is part of Keller Independent School District.
At the March 19th meeting, Mayor John Terrell told the audience that he sees the expanded program as a long-term investment. He stated later: “As with any long-term commitment, this program will evolve and we will modify it as we believe is necessary so that it will continually improve. What’s important is that this investment is constantly nurtured by its stakeholders so it becomes and remains a program of excellence which benefits Southlake’s families and the community.”
All of the money for the expanded program will come from the Crime Control Prevention District, the half-cent sales tax that was approved by voters to support the City’s safety and security initiatives. The board, which has fiduciary responsibility over the fund, approved the task force’s recommendation at their meeting on March 5th. The City will move forward this summer with making the necessary budget adjustments.
The Task Force was assembled shortly after the shootings in Newtown Connecticut where 26 people lost their lives after a shooter entered the Sandy Hook Elementary school and opened fire. The group researched and held meetings to determine the appropriate recommendation for an enhanced SRO presence for Southlake schools. It is composed of law enforcement experts, community leaders from both the City and Carroll ISD, and faith based leaders.
“We appreciate the cooperative partnership between the City of Southlake and Carroll ISD, especially on the topic of school safety,” said Read Ballew, School Board President and a member of the Mayor’s Task Force. “The group was quick but thorough in making a recommendation. Safety is a top priority for all of us, but the city’s expansion of the SRO program allows Carroll ISD to concentrate on our main focus of educating students.’
Superintendent David Faltys said the existing SRO program provides students, staff and parents with the opportunity to build strong relationships with local law enforcement officers. “The city’s efforts to help keep our schools safer also provide us with a great opportunity to utilize the expertise of these officers to positively impact the lives of students. We look forward to working with Chief Steve Mylett to find just the right individuals to fill these positions.”
City staff will now move forward with the necessary steps to seek out and hire qualified officers to staff the enhanced program. All SRO officers are required to go through 40 hours of specialized training that will focus on the specific safety and security needs of public schools and the children who attend them.