IRVING, Texas - The Irving City Council approved updated agreements with Irving Independent School District and Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District to continue providing Irving police officers on school campuses while gradually increasing the school districts' share of program costs.
The agreements, approved during the July 30 City Council meeting, renew the School Resource Officer (SRO) program for another year, with both contracts taking effect Aug. 1, 2026, and continuing through July 31, 2027.
Under the agreement with Irving ISD, the school district will reimburse the City of Irving approximately $2.37 million, representing 65% of the salaries, retirement, health insurance, workers' compensation and unemployment insurance costs for eight school resource officers. The city's share of the program is estimated at approximately $1.28 million, excluding overtime expenses.
The agreement with Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD covers two school resource officers assigned to CFB campuses located within Irving, including those serving the Valley Ranch area. Under that agreement, CFB ISD will pay approximately $202,123, representing 65% of the officers' personnel costs, while the city's portion is estimated at approximately $108,835, excluding overtime.
Both school districts will make payments to the city in three equal installments due Dec. 1, April 1 and Aug. 1 during the term of each agreement.
During the council meeting, Irving Police Chief Derick Miller explained that the agreements are part of a multi-year effort to create a more equitable cost-sharing arrangement between the city and the school districts.
"When I first got here, the agreement between entities was a 50% split, but the 50% was only for the officers' salary and benefits and not for all other things," Miller said. "There was a disparity on how much the city was doing versus the school districts."
Miller said the city recognized it would likely never recover the full cost of providing officers to schools but wanted to ensure the districts were paying a fairer share of the expense.
Under the phased agreement, the school districts' contribution increased from 50% to 60% last year and now rises to 65%. City officials plan to request an increase to 70% during the next contract cycle.
"We'll never get the full cost recovery, but we just want to make sure that the districts are paying their fair share," Miller told council members.
When asked why the city continues to provide Irving police officers instead of allowing school districts to employ their own officers or contract the service independently, Miller emphasized the broader role SROs play in the community.
He said Irving police officers assigned to schools serve primarily as law enforcement officers but also become integrated into the educational environment by teaching portions of the curriculum and building relationships with students throughout the school year.
Miller noted those relationships extend well beyond the classroom. During the summer months, Irving officers participate in community programs such as Hoops and Kicks, which provides activities for approximately 200 children while helping officers maintain positive relationships with students outside of school.
"They are there primarily for law enforcement purposes," Miller said. "However, they do act and have some officers teaching within the curriculum. There are many programs that the officers inculcate themselves into the schools. So it goes beyond the schools."
City staff recommended approval of both agreements, noting they support Irving's long-term strategic goal of safeguarding public safety, security and health while continuing police services that protect students, school staff and school property.
