Blue Earth Area School District will spend more than $277,000 in the next three years for a law enforcement presence.
During their May 12 meeting, School Board members approved a new agreement with the Faribault County Sheriff’s Department that begins on July 1, 2025, and ends June 30, 2028.
The primary responsibility of the school resource officer (SRO), says the agreement, will be, “Serving as a resource person to staff, classroom members and school administration in the promoting of positive behavior in all of the School District’s buildings.”
Each school year the district will make two equal payments due by Dec. 1 and June 1, $44,188.50 for 2025-26; $46,177, 2026-27; and, $48,255, 2027-28.
Sheriff Scott Adams attended the County Board meeting on Tuesday, May 20, and addressed the commissioners before they also approved the agreement.
Adams says deputy Barry Meyers’ 14 years of experience on a Drug Task Force has been beneficial in his SRO duties.
“He does a lot of presentations on drugs, vaping and alcohol,” he says. “He has a great bond with the kids and has done an excellent job.”
Adams and County Auditor/treasurer Chuck Schrader worked on the three-year agreement that increases 4 percent annually.
He says they met with BEA superintendent Mandy Fletcher to explain details of the agreement and why the district pays more for an SRO than two area districts.
The district will reimburse the county for 75 percent of the cost of a deputy, which includes wages, insurance, benefits, PERA, worker compensation and Medicare.
BEA will also pay the county 75 percent of the cost of equipment and vehicle, provide office space, telephone and other reasonable clerical support services.
Because the SRO will be considered a county employee, they will assume all liability for actions taken in the performance as a peace officer.