Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 6/1/2023 - 6:30 PM
Category: Old Business and Action Items
Type: Action
Subject: Alexandria City Public School/Alexandria Police Department Memorandum of Understanding
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 1: Systemic Alignment
ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement.
Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation
ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments.
Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement
ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
Policy: KNAJ - Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
File Attachment:
230601_Memo_ACPS-APD MOU 2023-2025_v2.pdf
230601_Att1_DRAFT_MOU ACPS-APD_2023-2025_v3.pdf
230606_MOU_ACPS_APD_Signed.pdf
Agenda Item Summary: ACPS has a standing MOU with APD that requires review and approval every two years. The last MOU was reviewed and approved in October 2020. The final draft MOU with proposed changes is included as an attachment to this memo. All proposed updates were made from the signed October 2020 version of the MOU. Draft revisions were shared and discussed at the following meetings:

• The initial draft (v1) MOU was discussed with the School Board at the May 4, 2023 School Board meeting
• An updated draft (v2), incorporating feedback from the May 4, 2023 meeting, was shared with both joint elected bodies on May 15, 2023. Based on the joint meeting, additional feedback was incorporated into the draft (v3)
• The required public comment hearing on the draft revised MOU was held on May 18, 2023
• All drafts have been shared to include on the Safety and Security Services webpage

In order to maintain adherence to MOU review and approval requirement, the updated MOU must be signed no later than June 30, 2023.
Background: The last MOU was reviewed and approved in October 2020. In May 2021, the decision was made (as part of the City’s budget process) not to fund the SRO program into the following school year. Due to this change, adherence to the October 2020 MOU was no longer in place and a “Calls for Service” MOU was implemented.

In October 2021, the decision was made to reinstate the SRO program through the end of the school year (June 2022). Upon this decision, adherence to the Calls for Service MOU ceased and adherence to the October 2020 MOU began again.

In May 2022, ACPS made the request to the City to extend SRO funding for another year to allow for additional discussion regarding the future of the SRO program to occur. This request was granted, and the School Law Enforcement Partnership (SLEP) advisory group was approved by the School Board to be formed. The SLEP advisory group met from June 2022- December 2022 to review the existing partnership and to provide feedback on how the partnership could be reimagined. The SLEP advisory group feedback was presented to both the School Board and City Council in January 2023.
Recommendation: The Interim Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the changes to the MOU and authorize the Interim Superintendent to enter into the agreement with the Alexandria Police Department.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt - Interim Superintendent
Vote Results:

Original Motion
Member Kelly Carmichael Booz Moved, Member Dr. Ashley Simpson Baird seconded to approve the Original motion 'The Interim Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the changes to the MOU and authorize the Interim Superintendent to enter into the agreement with the Alexandria Police Department.'. Upon a Roll-Call Vote being taken, the vote was: Aye: 6 Nay: 0.
The motion Carried 6 - 0
   
Meagan L. Alderton     Yes
Jacinta Greene     Yes
Dr. Michelle Rief     Yes
Kelly Carmichael Booz     Yes
Dr. Ashley Simpson Baird     Yes
Willie F. Bailey, Sr.     Yes