The board of education of any school district and the board of trustees of a township, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, or the county sheriff of a county that includes part of the district’s territory may enter into a contract under which the trustees, legislative authority, or sheriff assign one or more police officers employed by that political subdivision’s police force to one or more of the school district’s schools upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the contract. The contract shall specify the police officer’s duties, which shall be limited to assisting guidance counselors and teachers in working with students concerning the use of alcohol and drugs of abuse, and which shall not include any duties for which an educator license issued under sections 3319.22 to 3319.30 of the Revised Code is required. The contract shall also specify the amount to be paid to the township, municipal corporation, or county by the board of education as compensation for all or part of the salary and benefits of any police officer assigned to its schools in accordance with such contract.

(C) (1) If a school district decides to utilize school resource officer services, the school district and the appropriate law enforcement agency shall first enter into a memorandum of understanding that clarifies the purpose of the school resource officer program and roles and expectations between the participating entities. If a school district is already utilizing school resource officer services on November 2, 2018, the school district and the law enforcement agency shall enter into a memorandum of understanding within one year after November 2, 2018. (2) Each memorandum of understanding shall address the following items: (a) Clearly defined set of goals for the school resource officer program; (b) Background requirements or suggested expertise for employing law enforcement in the school setting, including an understanding of child and adolescent development; (c) Professional development, including training requirements that focus on age-appropriate practices for conflict resolution and developmentally informed de-escalation and crisis intervention methods; (d) Clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the parties involved, including school resource officers, law enforcement, school administrators, staff, and teachers; (e) A protocol for how suspected criminal activity versus school discipline is to be handled; (f) The requirement for coordinated crisis planning and updating of school crisis plans; (g) Any other discretionary items determined by the parties to foster a school resource officer program that builds positive relationships between law enforcement, school staff, and the students, promotes a safe and positive learning environment, and decreases the number of youth formally referred to the juvenile justice system. (3) A school district, through its school administration, may give students an opportunity to provide input during the drafting process of any memorandum of understanding being entered into pursuant to division (C) of this section. (D) (1) In accordance with the requirements prescribed in this section, a school resource officer may work in one or more school districts or schools providing the following services: (a) Assistance with adoption, implementation, and amendment of the comprehensive emergency management plan required under section 3313.536 of the Revised Code; (b) Carrying out any additional responsibilities assigned to the school resource officer under the employment engagement, contract, or memorandum of understanding, including but not limited to: (i) Providing a safe learning environment; (ii) Providing valuable resources to school staff members; (iii) Fostering positive relationships with students and staff; (iv) Developing strategies to resolve problems affecting youth and protecting all students. (2) A school resource officer shall consult with local law enforcement officials and first responders when assisting a school district’s administrator in the development of a comprehensive emergency management plan. (E) The school district or school administrator shall have final decision-making authority regarding all matters of school discipline.