Armed Officers Stay At Palos Verdes Schools As Funding Deal Awaits Approval

PALOS VERDES, CA — Two full-time armed school resource officers remain on Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District campuses as the new school year begins, even though the agreement governing how the district and four Peninsula cities share the cost of the program expired this week.

Allied Universal remains PVPUSD's school resource officer (SRO) provider and the program costs about $280,000 annually, Superintendent Devin Serrano told Patch Friday.

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The district continues to fund 50% of the program, while Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates and Rolling Hills collectively cover the remaining 50%.

That cost-sharing arrangement remains unchanged, Serrano said, "pending approval of the MOU amendment by their respective cities."

"The School Resource Officer program remains in place as students return for the 2026-27 school year," Serrano told Patch. "Two full-time armed School Resource Officers are currently serving PVPUSD campuses."

The previous agreement between PVPUSD and the four Peninsula cities funded two full-time armed school resource officers through Aug. 26, 2026. That was also the first day of school for PVPUSD students.

Under the previous agreement, the district paid 50% of the Allied Universal contract, up to $150,000 annually, while the four cities collectively funded the other half, also up to $150,000.

Rancho Palos Verdes was responsible for 65% of the cities' share, or up to $97,500 annually. Palos Verdes Estates contributed 20%, or $30,000, Rolling Hills Estates 13%, or $19,500, and Rolling Hills 2%, or $3,000, according to the Rancho Palos Verdes administrative report.

The formula was based on a combination of student enrollment and each city's population.

Serrano said the amended agreement was presented to the PVPUSD Board of Education on Aug. 26. The district's Board of Education records confirm the board held its first regular meeting of the new school year that evening.

Cities Consider New Agreement

At least one Peninsula city had already budgeted money to continue participating in the SRO program before the previous agreement expired.

Rolling Hills Estates' 2026-27 adopted budget includes $19,500 for a school resource officer under public safety spending, matching the city's annual contribution under the previous funding arrangement.

That budget allocation does not itself establish that the amended agreement has been approved. Serrano said approval remains pending before the participating cities.

PVPUSD initially contracted with Allied Universal in 2019 for two full-time armed SROs to provide security at Palos Verdes High School and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.

Earlier district and city records show the officers have also provided security services elsewhere in the district and assessed school sites for potential safety vulnerabilities. Previous city records said the two positions were filled by former Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department sergeants.

Serrano said there have been no substantive changes to the number of officers, their deployment or their core responsibilities for the 2026-27 school year.

The officers "continue to provide a visible security presence, build positive relationships with students and staff, and assist with school safety and emergency preparedness efforts," Serrano said.