School Board Work Session 5-12-26

The Brevard Public Schools Board held a work session on May 12, 2026, focused on discussing the school resource officer (SRO) agreement with the city of Palm Bay. The discussion centered on the proposed reimbursement rate of $77,000 per SRO, which has increased from $52,000 in 2018-19, and the financial challenges of funding SROs across all schools as mandated by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act. Board members reviewed the scope of services provided by the Sheriff's Department, including training and K9 units, and noted that the district currently subsidizes SRO costs beyond state funding, with an estimated $3 million from the general fund next year. The city of Palm Bay currently provides four SROs for 21 schools within its limits, covering fewer schools than other municipalities. The board expressed a preference to maintain the current reimbursement rate and emphasized the importance of SROs for school safety and community relationships. They also discussed the possibility of lobbying the state legislature for increased funding and the potential consequences if Palm Bay withdraws from the agreement. No motions or votes were recorded during this session, but the board indicated a firm stance on not increasing the reimbursement without clearer cost data and highlighted ongoing negotiations with Palm Bay city officials.