The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)
Impact
The bill introduces significant compliance requirements and financial penalties for both MPS and the City of Milwaukee. If MPS fails to meet the SRO requirement or does not provide timely evidence of compliance to the Joint Committee on Finance, the state will withhold a portion of funding. Specifically, the Department of Administration may withhold 10% of supplemental county and municipal aid for the City, and the Department of Public Instruction may withhold 20% of per pupil categorical aid for MPS. This creates a financial incentive for compliance, which proponents argue will enhance accountability in ensuring school safety.
Summary
Senate Bill 100 mandates that the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and the City of Milwaukee ensure that at least 25 school resource officers (SROs) are present in schools within the district. This requirement is intended to contribute to the safety and security of schools in Milwaukee. The bill stipulates that MPS is responsible for 75% of the costs associated with the SROs while the City bears the remaining 25%. By establishing this cost-sharing arrangement, the legislation aims to facilitate easier compliance with the statutory requirements outlined for school safety.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding SB 100 is the requirement that both entities must enter agreements on how to fulfill the SRO requirement. Critics may argue that the burden of financial obligation is disproportionately placed on the school district, diverting funds from other essential educational resources. Additionally, requirements for regular certifications and potential funding penalties may lead to questions about the effectiveness and impact of SROs on actual school safety outcomes, making it a contentious issue among educators, law enforcement, and community stakeholders.
County and municipal aid; imposing a city sales tax and an additional county sales tax to pay the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of city and county retirement systems; requiring newly hired city and county employees of certain city agencies and counties to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System; fire and police commissions of first class cities; eliminating the personal property tax; reporting certain crimes and other incidents that occur on school property or school transportation; advisory referenda; local health officers; local public protection services; exceptions to local levy limits; local regulation of certain quarry operations; emergency services; local approval of projects and activities under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program; requiring a referendum; and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
County and municipal aid; imposing a city sales tax and an additional county sales tax to pay the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of city and county retirement systems; requiring newly hired city and county employees of certain city agencies and counties to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System; fire and police commissions of first class cities; eliminating the personal property tax; reporting certain crimes and other incidents that occur on school property or school transportation; advisory referenda; local health officers; local public protection services; exceptions to local levy limits; local regulation of certain quarry operations; emergency services; local approval of projects and activities under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program; requiring a referendum; and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Reporting to law enforcement certain crimes and other incidents that occur in or on public school buildings and grounds, requiring certain schools to employ armed school resource officers, and allocating federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding to reimburse schools for costs of employing armed school resource officers. (FE)
Reading instruction in public schools and private schools participating in parental choice programs, an early literacy assessment and intervention program, providing an exemption from rule-making procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Reading instruction in public schools and private schools participating in parental choice programs, an early literacy assessment and intervention program, providing an exemption from rule-making procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Increasing the per pupil payments in parental choice programs and the Special Needs Scholarship program and the per pupil payments made to independent charter schools and increasing the revenue ceiling for school districts. (FE)