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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-023 MOU - ASD-APDMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between Ashland School District ("the District") and Ashland Police Department ("APD") This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into on this seventeenth (17) of April, 2024, by and between the Ashland School District, hereinafter referred to as "the District," and the Ashland Police Department, hereinafter referred to as "APD," collectively referred to as "the Parties." WHEREAS, the Parties recognize the importance of ensuring a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for all students at Ashland High School; and WHEREAS, the Parties are committed to collaborative efforts to enhance school safety, while also fostering positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the school community; and WHEREAS, the Parties aim to establish a model School Resource Officer (SRO) program that embodies best practices, including officer training in implicit bias and trauma - informed practices, and engagement with student unions and historically marginalized groups; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the Parties agree as follows: 1. Placement of School Resource Officer 1.1. APD agrees to assign a qualified School Resource Officer (SRO) to be stationed at Ashland High School during regular school hours and at other times as mutually agreed upon by the Parties. 2. Responsibilities of APD 2.1. APD shall ensure that the assigned SRO has received appropriate training in law enforcement procedures, with a strong emphasis on working within an educational environment. 2.2. APD commits to an SRO participating in additional training provided by the District on implicit bias, trauma -informed practices, communicating with neurodivergent students, and other relevant topics aimed at equipping the SRO to effectively engage with the school community. 2.3. APD will collaborate with the District to facilitate the SRO's engagement with student unions and historically marginalized groups, aiming to build trust and foster a supportive environment. 2.4. APD agrees to participate in the preparation and presentation of an annual report to the School Board, detailing the SRO program's activities, accomplishments, and areas for improvement. 3. Responsibilities of the District 3.1. The District shall provide necessary training on Implicit bias and trauma -informed practices to the SRO, as mentioned in section 2.2. 3.2. The District will facilitate opportunities for the SRO to engage with student unions and historically marginalized groups within the school. 3.3. The District agrees to collaborate with APD in the development and dissemination of the annual report to the School Board. 3.4 The District shall provide a secure office space, file storage, and phone. 4. Release of Student Information 4.1 The release of student records is governed by ORS 336,187 and ORS 326.565 — 326.580, and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA"), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, and its implementing regulations. In accordance with FERPA, "school officials" may access and disclose student records only as authorized by FERPA. The SRO will become familiar with and comply with all state and federal student confidentiality laws applicable to the K-12 school environment. 4.2 SROs. The release of student records is governed by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 CFR part 99) ("FERPA"). For purposes of access to student records, each SRO is considered a "school official" and may be provided students' personally identifiable information ("PII") on an as -needed basis to carry out SRO duties for legitimate educational purposes. In addition, each SRO may only use PH for the purpose for which the disclosure was made; and to promote school safety and the physical security of students. SROs, acting as school officials, may not disclose PH obtained from student records, without prior written consent, to others, including other officers who are not acting in the capacity as school officials, unless the disclosure fits within one of the exceptions to consent in FERPA. SRO will have independent access to student names and directory information through the District's student information system. Each SRO may request student discipline records and student health records from a District administrator for legitimate educational purposes. 4.3 Directory Information. Information that is designated as "directory information" is published in School Board Policy JOA. The information regarding students whose parents have opted -out of disclosure of such student information will be withheld. The information items designated as "directory information" are subject to change. The SRO or other law enforcement officials seeking access to directory information may request such information from the building principal. In addition to "directory information", SRO's will have access to parent/guardian information, sibling information and emergency contact information. 5 Role in Locker, Vehicle, Personal, and Other Searches 5.1 The SRO may not perform administrative searches independent of school administration unless exigent circumstances exist and necessitate a search. The SRO may assist school staff with administrative searches as a witness, or to take control of items seized as appropriate. a. Strip searches of students by SROs are prohibited. b, Unless there is an immediate threat to a student, a teacher, or public safety, SROs shall not initiate or participate in other physically invasive searches of a student. 5 Severability 5.1. If any provision of this MOU is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been included. 6. Term and Termination 6.1. This MOU shall commence on the date first above written and shall continue in effect until terminated by either party with written notice to the other party. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Memorandum of Understanding as of the date first above written. Ashland f ool Di t By:. Nam MUE� ANOVE Title: PER E NT Date: 4.17.2 Ashlan o ice Department By; Name: ig a O'Meara Title: Chief of Police Date: