Education
City of La Crosse endorses downsizing of SRO program this year
La Crosse’s city council gave its blessing last week to a new one-year agreement to continue the school resource officer program with the school district.
The council was required to take a vote because the contract has an effect on the city budget.
La Crosse police chief Shawn Kudron says less money will be spent this year to have officers at La Crosse schools, under the new contract.
“Currently (the memorandum of understanding) is for 3 SRO’s,” as a cost of $150,000, says Kudron. “This is a reduction from our previous contract in relationship with the school district, which previously was for $100,000 more.”
The school district’s plan is to reduce the police presence at schools from 3 this year to just 2 a year from now.
Council member Mark Neumann said it was important for the city to back up its contract with the school district. Neumann said he has been getting messages from city residents, wanting the SRO program to end.