2022.09.13 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 23, 2022 Page 4 of 7 Councilmember Abdulle commented on the changing demographics within the school district and requested further information on who responded to the school districts survey. Mr. Johnson explained the school district members who responded to the survey were representative of the families within the school district. He noted 38% were New Brighton residents and indicated the survey results would be available from the Communications Department. He explained he did not have all of the data in front of him. Councilmember Abdulle questioned if there was any special training SRO’s underwent knowing they would be dealing with young people. Public Safety Director Paetznick commented on the National Association of School Resources Course that SRO’s have to attend. He stated this course provided specific school based police training. Councilmember Allen asked what type of equipment officers have on them during a school day. Public Safety Director Paetznick reported SRO’s will always have a firearm and other tools on their utility belt. Councilmember Axberg stated it was her understanding the contract with the school district covers the cost for the SRO’s. She inquired if the school district has ever considered negotiating a multi-year contract. Public Safety Director Paetznick reported 100% of the pay for the SRO’s is paid for the nine months the officers are working for the school district. He indicated a multi-year contract was being considered by both sides with an appropriate opt-out option. Councilmember Axberg stated given the long-standing positive relationship the department has with the school district, a multi-year contract would be something that should be considered. Councilmember Abdulle requested further information on the number of arrests that were completed in the schools each year. Public Safety Director Paetznick commented on how the number of school arrests have dropped since the 1990’s when SRO’s were implemented. He reported the number of arrests was in the single-digits over the past two and three years. He credited the SRO’s and Diversion program for their tremendous work in the community. Mr. Schwartz commented on his experience with SRO’s noting it was not the schools intention to make arrests at school unless there was a serious criminal offense. He reported school was a safe place and he wanted this to continue. He reiterated there has been very few arrents during his time working with the school. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested information on how the school district handles truancy. Mr. Johnson described how the administrators personalize and individualize their approach with students that are truant in the Mounds View School District. He reported administrators manage these situations without SRO’s. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned how the school would react to a student who brought a knife to school. Mr. Schwartz discussed how administrators handle this issue with the student and their parents. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested further information on the training the SRO’s receive to address school shooting situations. Public Safety Director Paetznick reported this was an ongoing training topic for officers and discussed the active shooter joint training his officers received with Allina EMS. He commented further on the situational training his officers and officers from Ramsey County received at old Korean Church prior to it being demolished. He was of the opinion his officers were well prepared for a situation like this. Mr. Johnson reported the State of Minnesota requires all schools to do five lock down drills a year. He commented on the crisis manual that was created by staff and thanked Mr. Schwartz for all of his efforts on this manual. Mr. Schwartz commented further on the crisis plan that was in place noting he was working to make sure his people knew their roles and assignments in a crisis situation. Councilmember Allen thanked the voters for approving a referendum in 2017 that led to security improvements at all of the schools. Councilmember Abdulle noted not all students may feel safe with a police officer in the building. He questioned if it was necessary for the school district to have three SRO’s at this