88-0812 U-46 Officer Liaison •
AGREEMENT BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICT U-46
AND THE CITY OF ELGIN EXTENDING THE SCHOOL
LIAISON OFFICER PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL YEAR - 1988-89
For and in consideration of the mutual promises, convenants, and conditions
contained herein, the City of Elgin, hereafter referred to as the City and
School District U-46, hereafter referred to as the District agree to
establish and operate a School Liaison Officer Program for the up-coming
school calendar year of 1988-89 and covering those days of the calendar
year when school is officially in session as follows:
1) Program
There is hereby established the School Liaison Officer (SLO) Program.
Generally this program involves the assignment of a City of Elgin
police officer to Larkin High and Elgin High School. The base salary
including fringe benefits for the assigned officers shall be provided
for by the City in total with the exception of any and all overtime
expenses incurred as a direct result of the SLO program which will be
paid by the District at the existing officer's particular rate. Al-
though the officers shall remain the employees of the City of Elgin,
upon assignment such officers shall work with and be under the general
direction of District staff and shall establish and operate such pro-
grams and activities as is consistent with the intent of this program.
Essentially, the program involves the assignment of a sworn police
officer to a specific school. Although remaining an employee of the
City, the responsibility for direction and supervision of the officer
when assigned to school duties, shifts from the department to the
identified school's administrator and/or staff. The SLO works right in
the school as a member of the school's guidance team and serves many of
the roles associated with a dean's assistant.
In addition to normal school duties, the SLO attends specified extra-
curricular activities of the school at the school administration' s
direction. These activities involve but may not be limited to athletic
events and school sponsored dances.
The scope of the SLO is basically unlimited, except in the area of
counseling. Although certain levels of counseling are a part of the
SLO' s duties, serious counseling needs are referred to the school's
professional staff.
As a member of the police department, the SLO conducts original inves-
tigation of all criminal and quasi-criminal acts which occur during the
regular school day and would heretofore have necessitated the dispatch
of a patrol unit. The officer's presence prompts rapid and positive
responses to all calls for service. In addition to conducting original
investigation, the SLO is assigned cases for follow-up through the
Major Investigations Division, specifically the Juvenile Bureau. The
criteria for assignment is essentially the offender or victim's school
SLO Program
Page 2
assignment: time, date, and offense is secondary. These cases would
involve a myriad of acts committed after school hours and/or on week-
ends. The SLO will be responsible for conducting such investigations
in conjunction with other school responsiblities, within reason.
The school calendar is one hundred and seventy-six (176) days. During
extended school breaks and during the summer months of June - July -
August, the SLO will assume his/her assignment position in the Juvenile
Bureau of the City of Elgin police department.
2) Duties
The duties of the SLO may include but are not limited to the following:
A. Promote rapport between police officers and students in the high
school.
B. Promote a working relationship with school counselors.
C. Promote working relationship with other police counselors within
the U-46 School District.
D. Meet periodically with building and district administration to
discuss and evaluate police counselor activities.
E. Make presentations to students, parents, and staff members on law
and law enforcement, safety, and good citizenship.
F. Refer troubled students to proper professional help within the
student services division of the school.
G. Plan preventive substance abuse programs.
H. Work with parents of runaway students.
I. Counsel students who are established juvenile offenders.
J. Assist school officials in the enforcement of truancy law.
K. Represent the high school, along with the Dean, on any criminal,
misdemeanor, or traffic court action involving students.
L. Work beyond regular scheduled hours when required to successfully
complete an assignment or case.
M. File appropriate case reports with the respective municipal police
department.
N. Protect school, staff, and students from violations of the law.
SLO Program
Page 3
0. Assist with traffic control.
P. Check unauthorized personnel in and around the school.
Q. Assist the administration with crowd and vehicle control at special
events and coordinate additional help if needed.
R. Receive police referrals involving students.
S. Maintain a record of daily activities.
T. Perform police duties as assigned by the police department during
the periods when school is in session, so long as such activities
do not interfer with the student's curriculum schedule.
U. Perform other duties as specified by the Assistant Principal.
3) Staffing
The program shall consist of the City assigning one (1) officer to
Larkin High School and one (1) officer to Elgin High School to act as
the SLO for the respective schools. The SLO will begin his or her
duties on the first day of school and continue each day that school is
in session until the last day of classes. This is expected to be 176
days.
4) Salary and Other Related Costs
The base salary (to include the fringe benefit package) of the two (2)
School Liaison Officers shall be paid by the City at the established
rate to include any scheduled adjustments made during the school
calendar year - 1988-89.
Any overtime expenses, necessitated by District scheduling requirements
and in conjunction with the SLO's duties shall be paid for in total by
the District at the officer's existing overtime rate as established by
the City through contractual agreements. These overtime hours may be
to compensate the officer's attendance at school dances, athletic
events, or other school related extra-curricular activities, as the
District wishes to schedule.
The City will calculate these overtime costs as approved by the Dis-
trict and submitted by the officers, and shall then bill the District
for total refund of the overtime costs incurred. Billing shall occur
twice per year at the end of each semester period.
Additionally, the District shall, as part of the SLO program main-
tenance, provide the office work space, telephone, and other related
SLO Program
Page 4
commodites as previously contributed, plus personal vehicle expenses
incurred for school business at the rate established and scheduled, see
Exhibit A attached.
5) Term
This agreement may be terminated by either party at any time.
WHEREFORE the parties have caused their signatures and seals to be
affixed hereto this 111 day of tq,rgT- , 1988.
CITY OF ELGIN
411111 ,e:/iill
o
•mes /11
,City Man. :
SCHOOL DISTRICT U-46
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by 6,,,
Exhibit A
School Liaison Officer Program
1988-89 Costs
Two (2) officers, placed one (1) in each senior high facility, beginning
with the first day of school and ending the last day of school for the
1988-89 school term.
Personnel Costs
Salary & Fringe Benefits
All salary costs, to include the fringe benefit package as provided
currently for an officer of the position of Senior Patrolman (Except SLO
associated overtime incurred).
City share (total) estimated $74,257.00
District share -0-
$74,257.00
Overtime Costs
All overtime costs, associated with the SLO program and incurred as a
result of extra curricular activities shall be paid for by the District at
the existing overtime rate for the officer. Overtime, incurred by the
officer during the school calendar year and as a result of criminal or
quasi-criminal investigations, shall be paid for by the City through normal
payroll channels and procedures. Note: Costs estimated on the previous
year agreement of 120 hours per officer/per school.
City share $ -0-
District share
(estimated on experience)
240 hr. x $25. = $6,000.00
$6,000.00
Capital Expenditures
None estimated nor scheduled in 1988-89.
Exhibit A
Page 2
Vehicle Expenditures
The district is to continue their financial support of the personal use
vehicle agreement as established in the 1987-88 program at $.25 per mile or
the prevailing rate as exists in the District at the time of program ini-
tiation in 1988-89.
Office/Commodities
The District will provide office space, telephone and other commodites in
support of the SLO Program.
June 22, 1988
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: School Liaison Officers Program
PURPOSE: To discuss the continuation of the School Liaison Programs at Elgin
High School and Larkin High School after discontinuation of their portion of
the funding of this program by School District U-46.
BACKGROUND: In early 1987, the City of Elgin and School District U-46 entered
into an agreement whereby police department youth officers would be placed in
Larkin and Elgin High Schools to deal with problems occurring there, beginning
with the start of the 1987-1988 school term. One officer would be assigned to
each of the two high schools and would be under the supervision of the
respective school principals. The cost of the program was to be divided
equally between the city and the school district. In late 1987, School
District U-46 found itself in severe financial difficulty and was forced to
discontinue a number of programs. One of the district's cost saving measures
was to discontinue their portion of the School Liaison Officer funding until
their finances could be reorganized and placed on a firm footing.
As the attached report shows, the School Liaison Program is a valuable
supplement to the police department's other youth oriented programs,
especially those which deal with gang activities. If it should be
discontinued, the police department will lose the opportunity to combat gang
activity in the school environment where such anti-gang efforts are likely to
be highly effective.
Three response alternatives to the U-46 action are available:
(1) To fund the School Liaison Program completely and without assistance from
School District U-46 for the entire 1988-89 school term.
(2) To fund the School Liason Program as above but only for the remainder of
calendar year 1988.
(3) To discontinue the program.
Memo to Mayor and Members of the City Council
June 22, 1988
Page 2
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Additional cost to the City should alternative number one be adopted. $32,880.
Additional cost to the City should alternative number two be adopted. $14,773.
Cost to the City should alternative number three be adopted. $ -0-
See narrative attachment Annex I for detailed financial impact analysis.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the School Liaison Program be fully
funded by the City of Elgin for the entire 1988-89 school term. Preliminary
reviews suggest the program has proved sufficiently valuable to retain. In
negotiations for 1989-1990 funding, our objective should be to have U-46 fund
a larger amount to compensate for our funding the entire cost in 1988-1989.
2----
/ Cityi ager,
ANNEX I
•
FINANCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER PROGRAM
Given the knowledge that School District U-46 will no longer be a participant
in the funding of the School Liaison Officer Program, certain financial con-
siderations had to be assessed. Based on the assumption that the District
would continue their funding in the Fall of 1988 to cover the 1988-89 school
year, a revenue source was identified in the fiscal '88 budget. The antici-
pated 1988 revenue, which would have gone to defray 1988-89 associated costs
was $13,333.00 (salary match) and $1,440.00 (over-time match), for a total of
$14,773.00. Since no preparation has been completed for the FY89 Budget, no
actual revenue sources have been identified; however, were the District to
have continued the program without alteration in funding arrangement, ap-
proximately $16,667.00 (salary match) and $1,440.00 (over-time match) would
probably have been identifed to defray incurred 1989 expenses of the 1988-89
school year.
Three alteratives to the existing situation have been identifed for considera-
tion. Of the three, the full funding by the City of Elgin is being recom-
mended. This alternative involves the City incurring the entire cost of the
program for the school year 1988-89 without assistance in aid from District
U-46. The total cost of this program is calculated to be $77,569.00. This
figure includes the salary, holiday additional pay, fringe benefit package,
and over-time for 9 months (4 months of 1988/5 months of 1989) with adjust-
ments made for anticipated raises in personnel costs. Had the District
continued to fund the program at the same level as previously negotiated for
the 1987-88 year ($32,880.00), the City's actual cost would have been
$44,689.00. Although some adjustments in the District's level of funding
might have been renegotiated in preparation for the 1988-89 year, these
charges would probably have been slight compared to overall program costs.
Thus, should alternative one be adopted as recommended, the total costs will
be approximately $77,569.
The second alternative involves beginning the program in the Fall of 1988 (as
previously anticipated) but eliminating it at the end of the first semester of
the 1988-89 school year - no program in 1989. Should this alternative be
selected, the total cost to the City of Elgin will be $34,612.00 which in-
volves, salary, holiday additional pay, fringe benefit package and anticipated
overtime use. Were the District to have provided the anticipated 1988 dollars
identified as revenue in the FY88 Budget ($14,773.00), the City's portion
would only have been $19,839.00.
Alternative number three involves the cessation of the program completely.
Although there are no identifed dollar costs directed specific to the program,
the officers originally assigned these duties are currently employed as police
officers, thus there will still be expenses incurred in maintaining their ser-
vice to the City.
School Liaison Officer Activity and Assessment Report
September 1987 to June 1988
Beginning in August, 1987, the Elgin Police Department, in cooperation
with School District U-46, placed School Liaison Officers in both Larkin High
School and Elgin High School . One such officer was assigned to each high
school, to be under the direct supervision of the respective school
administrators. They were given the responsibility for a broad range of
duties such as investigating police matters which occur on school property,
investigating internal incidents occurring at the school , policing extra-
curricular activities, counseling students and parents, and giving classroom
presentations.
It is the opinion of the administration of the Elgin Police Department
and the principals of both high schools that the School Liaison Program has
been a complete success. Even though most of the benefits of the program
cannot be quantified, some statistics are available to demonstrate that
Officer Henry Smith at Elgin High School and Officer John Denofrio at Larkin
High School have very rapidly integrated themselves into their respective
school environments.
Elgin High School Larkin High School
No. of Time No. of Time
Incidents Expended (hrs. ) Incidents Expended (hrs. )
Police Related Reports 65 252 70 165
and Contacts
Internal School 107 125 95 100
Incidents & Reports
Classroom Presentations 25 50 32 60
(including preparation)
Student Conferences 292 447 75 62
Parent Conferences 75 158 33 105
and other meetings
Court Appearances 37 111 11 20
Miscellaneous (including 370 430
staff conferences, parking
lot supervision, cafeteria
supervision, and other activities)
The School Liaison Officers, by handling police related incidents at
their respective schools, have eased the workload of the other four youth
officers, leaving them with more time for follow-up on non-school related
juvenile problems. An invaluable aspect of the program is the School Liaison
Officers' ability to monitor and combat street gang activity in their respec-
tive high schools. During the summer school vacation months, the School
Liaison Officers work in the police department's Major Investigations Division
as gang crimes investigators.
By collecting gang intelligence, defusing incidents with the potential of
gang violence which develop on the school property, and preventing gang
recruiting by non-students, this phase of the program by itself is of
sufficient value to justify the continuation of the program. The accompanying
table demonstrates the decrease in gang related incidents from August, 1987,
through April , 1988, over the preceding nine months (November, 1986, through
July, 1987) and the corresponding nine month period of 1986-1987.
Comparison of Gang Related Incidents
November, 1986 through April , 1988
Major Incidents Minor Incidents
08/86 9 13
09/86 8 5
10/86 17 15
11/86 7 14
12/86 11 7
01/87 7 12
02/87 5 10
03/87 8 15
04/87 9 27
9 mo. average 9.0 13.1
11/86 7 14
12/86 11 7
01/87 7 12
02/87 5 10
03/87 8 15
04/87 9 27
05/87 3 15
06/87 6 20
07/87 8 21
9 mo. average 7.1 15.7
08/87 4 7
09/87 1 11
10/87 4 5
11/87 4 5
12/87 4 5
01/88 5 3
02/88 2 3
03/88 1 12
04/88 4 22
9 mo. average 3.2 8.1
The principals of the two high schools have enthusiastically supported
the School Liaison Program. They have requested that it be continued until
School District U-46 can reorganize its finances sufficiently to again assume
part of the cost. We agree that the program is of such value that the School
Liaison Officers should be retained.
• , School Administrative Office
yip 355 355 East Chicago Street
District Elgin, Illinois 60120
U•46 (312) 888-5000
Where Good Things Are Happening In Education
March 21, 1988
Mr. James Cook
Elgin City Manager
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, Il 60120
Dear Jim:
I have taken the liberty to enclose letters of support for the Police Liaison
Program from each of the principals at Larkin and Elgin High Schools. I for one
appreciate your cooperation in listening to the School District's proposal of
the City's assumption of costs related to the Police Liaison Program for an
interim period, while we work at solving our current financial dilemma. Any
indication that you can provide us on the disposition of the City Council
towards this proposal would be most helpful as we plan for the fall of 1988.
Thanks again for the consideration.
Sincerely,
GCG� ' dw
Richard ggall
Superin dent
r /JcP
Encs.
School District U•46 Serves: Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, South Elgin, Streamwood, Wayne
• SCh' oI Elgin High School
��p J 1200 Maroon Drive
District Elgin, Illinois 60120
U•46 (312) 888-5100
A..
Where Good Things Are Happening In Education
March 15, 1988
Mr. James Cook, City Manager
City of Elgin
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, Illinois 60120
Dear Mr. Cook:
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter regarding the school liaison officer
assigned to the two high school buildings in School District U-46.
The following comments and observations that I make pertain to Elgin High School.
In 1986 School District U-46 approached Chief Baird about the possibility of exploring a
school liaison officer program for both Elgin and Larkin High Schools. After a year of
meetings to explore this possibility the program was implemented this past fall. I can
truly say that the program has had benefits beyond my expectations.
Elgin High School has received the services and expertise of a skilled and
experienced professional. After a brief adjustment to a school environment the school
liaison officer was able to interact with our Guidance Department, staff, and
administration in providing services that we as a school had been unable to provide in
the past.
Henry Smith has been able to provide guidance to both students and staff. He has
been able to deal first hand with police related problems and has acted as a guidance
counselor and friend to many students that we ordinarily would not be able to reach.
Henry has done so in a very skillful, diplomatic manner, but at times has been able to
use stronger measures when appropriately called for. Let me just list some of the
areas that Henry Smith has been involved in at Elgin High School:
_Truancy prevention both with the Kane County Educational Service Region
and Elgin High School's Truancy Prevention Program.
_Assisting and supporting the guidance counselors and social workers.
_Worked very closely with the administration in dealing with all kinds of
discipline problems in the Deans' Office.
_Classroom presentations in Civics, Health, and Law.
_Participated in numerous parent conferences.
_Filled out various school incident and police reports.
_Has made many home visits and has taken a few students home.
_Assisted staff with court dates on referred students.
_Has made many resource referrals with community agencies.
_Gang related problems - actual and educational.
_Supervision at all extra curricular activities - these include sporting events,
dances, and anything that involved crowd control.
School District U•46 Serves: Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, South Elgin, Streamwood, Wayne
Mr. James Cook, City Manager
Page - 2 -
These are just a few of the activities that the school liaison officer has been
involved in at Elgin High School. Obviously, I cannot measure the number of intangible
factors which surround the impact of the school liaison position.
From the beginning, one of the most important aspects the program provided was
the ability of an officer in our building to improve the image and view many students
have of a police officer. Students at Elgin High School now view Henry Smith not only
as a friend but also a staff member. His presence is a detriment to criminal and
negative activity on our campus. His presence also negates situational problems that
require police intervention and prevents the necessity of the number of calls made to
the Elgin Police Department. Henry Smith's work and contacts in the building also help
with investigations and problem solving in the community.
In conclusion let me say that we really have only scratched the surface to what
the school liaison officer can do in our building, especially in the area of classroom
visitation. I would certainly like to see our school and our staff use the school liaison
officer as a valuable resource in our curriculum. There is much more work to be
accomplished in this area of the program. I would certainly be more than willing to
serve on any committee or to attend any meeting that involves a discussion of the
school liaison officer.
Please feel free to contact Lowell Antenen, at 888-5302, or Larry Nemmers at
888-5105.
Sinc rely,
Larr Nemmers
P ncipal
Lowell Antenen
Area Superintendent
I z School Larkin High School
' Ir" J 1475 Larkin Avenue
District Elgin, Illinois 60123
U•46 (312) 888-5200
i. iiii
Where Good Things Are Happening In Education
March 14, 1988
Mr. James Cook
Elgin City Manager
150 Dexter Ct.
Elgin, IL 60120
Dear Mr. Cook:
I am writing you in regards to our Community Liaison Officer position here
at Larkin High School.
Although I have only been here at Larkin for a short period of time, I can
vouch for the fact that there has been a very positive difference in the area
of discipline. We have had fewer severe problems in the areas of drug abuse,
physical confrontations, trespassing, and verbal abuse than in the past. John
Denofrio has been involved in the prevention and/or intervention of problems
so that what would in the past develop into severe situations are dealt with at
a more basic level.
I also feel the relationship between the educational community, the student
body, parents, and the Police Department has been very positively increased.
To become more visible within the building and to build relationships, John
has been in various classrooms--especially in the Health, Introduction to Law,
Civics, and Driver Education areas. He also attends many of our evening activities,
such as: sporting events, dances, plays, concerts, etc. Through Larkin's Student
Government, John has become involved with SADD and "Just Say No" programs.
We are holding meetings on a regular basis to discuss at-risk students. Often
we all can be more aware if there is an abuse situation, runaway potential, or
possible suicide. John is actively involved in these meetings along with the social
workers, the Director of Pupil Personnel Services, the Assistant Principal in charge
of the Deans' Office, the at-risk counselor, and myself.
School District U•46 Serves: Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, South Elgin, Streamwood, Wayne
A large percentage of John's day is also involved in police work. For example--
limited custody cases, runaways, abuse cases, harassment (older boyfriends out
of school with younger girls) all of which need to be followed up by police reports.
We hope that you will seriously consider leaving the Police Liaison Officer
in our building; although, our district may not fund part of it.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
eleA4-62,a)74_4
Renate Matthaeus
Principal
Dr. Dar John.on
Area Superin endent
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