DECATUR, Ga. — The City of Decatur approved an updated contract for school resource officers.
The vote came on Monday, with the Decatur City Commission approving the amended contract unanimously.
Under the new agreement, there is more of a focus on restrictions to sharing students’ private information.
Documents from the city commission says the updated contract was drafted in response to new guidance issued by the Georgia Department of Education about protecting student information and the responsibilities of school districts related to federal law.
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As written, the amendments to the contract does the following, according to the city:
- Defines what precipitates a written report from the SRO to the school system
- Clarifies that student information received by the SRO in the capacity of a school official is protected under FERPA
- Clarifies that information independently created and maintained by the Police Department for a law-enforcement purpose is treated separately from protected student education records
- Explains that information may be shared in circumstances authorized by law, including circumstances involving appropriate law enforcement purposes and health or safety emergencies
- States that the school system commits to providing training on FERPA requirements
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