MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - The full Milwaukee Common Council has approved the school resource officer (SRO) agreement between Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and the city of Milwaukee.

This, after a Common Council committee approved the agreement Monday night after a lengthy debate.

On Tuesday morning, members passed the vote 10-4 at City Hall during a meeting -- meaning officers are one step closer to returning to schools. 

Alderwomen Andrea Pratt, Laressa Taylor, Milele Coggs, and Marina Dimitrijevic were the four no votes, with the latter initially introducing an amendment to have unanticipated raised revenue go towards recreation for students instead.

"What about more libraries, what about more art, what about more music?" Ald. Dimitrijevic said, before withdrawing the amendment after discussion amongst members. “What’s missing in this whole conversation is prevention. We have other work to do. Let’s make it so that those officers are actually not needed, so that the teachers have what they need and that the children have what they need.”

This deal is already more than a year late when it comes to complying with state law, which required officers to be in schools by Jan. 1 of 2024 and comes a week after a Milwaukee judge held the city in contempt for failure to follow that law. 

"According to Milwaukee police records, 3700 calls to MPS have been made and called for actions at MPS, it's alarming and I think the teachers need help," said Ald. Mark Chambers.

Moving forward, the city and MPS now have to provide a list of which officers will be SROs by March 15 or they could face a $1000-per-day fine.

The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) said they are interviewing candidates this week before SRO training is set to begin Monday, March 10, which will cost around $13,000.

Training for additional officers, going up to no more than 40 total, will cost $525 each, MPD said. 

“Having a trained SRO in our schools is not about turning schools into police stations. It’s about creating a safe, supportive environment, where students can focus on learning and growing without fear," said Ald. Peter Burgelis. "Many students, especially those in difficult home situations, benefit from having a trusted adult in their lives."