CONTINUED FROM 1
FRESH LEGISLATION The Texas House of Representatives sent House Bill 3 to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk May 30, creating changes that will a ect all public and open-enrollment charter schools. Eanes, Lake Travis and Leander ISDs have di erent plans for complying with HB 3.
EISD, Lake Travis ISD and Leander ISD have increased funding, proposed bonds and outlined plans to address safety and security amid a changing landscape with new legislation. Filling the need The discussions about the need for an armed presence on campuses in EISD gained momentum and coincided with the Texas House of Representa- tives’ passage of House Bill 3 during the 88th legislative session, which ran from January to May. Under this bill, created by Rep. Dustin Burrows, R Lubbock, all public and open-enrollment charter schools across the state must have at least one armed school security guard on cam- pus during regular school hours. All school districts will receive $15,000 per campus annually plus an additional $10 per student to fund safety initia- tives, according to the bill, which goes into e ect Sept. 1. Prior to becoming o cers, individ- uals are required to complete training through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Upon completion of the commission’s training, o cers can undergo additional training at the Texas School Safety Center, said Matt Greer, EISD director of safety and risk management and soon-to-be police chief. The center was created in response to the Columbine school shooting in 1999 and conducts training, research and assistance for public school dis- tricts and junior community colleges, said Kathy Martinez-Prather, director of the Texas School Safety Center. As school districts in Texas have been asked to do more to enhance safety and security, she said the role of the center is to provide support, resources, best practices and training for free.
What is HB 3? House Bill 3 is a new public education law, created by Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, that will require at least one armed security ocer on every public and open-enrollment charter campus. The law goes into e ect Sept. 1.
Sta ng for upcoming 2023-24 school year:
Lake Travis ISD
NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH HB 3
One ocer at three elementary schools; four campuses will share two ocers Two ocers at each middle school Three ocers at the high school
Police department in place 11 campuses 11,706 students*
School district law enforcement o cers
A school security o cer can be:
A teacher or other school employee trained and licensed to carry a handgun on campus by a local law enforcement agency assigned to a campus or district, e.g. Travis County Sheri ’s Oce A school resource o cer who is a licensed ocer employed A school district law enforcement o cer part of a law enforcement agency created and employed by the district A school marshal whose sole purpose is to prevent murder or serious bodily injury on school premises and can only act as dened by regulations adopted by the school board
Leander ISD
NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH HB 3
7 ocers across 47 campuses
Partnered with local law enforcement 47 campuses 43,423 students*
40 campuses will be without an o cer
School resource o cers
Eanes ISD
IN COMPLIANCE WITH HB 3
One ocer at each elementary and middle school Two ocers at the high school
9 campuses 7,533 students*
Creating police department this year
Security o cers
*PROJECTED ENROLLMENT FOR 2023 24 SCHOOL YEAR
Eanes ISD creating a police department
The Eanes ISD board of trustees has taken the rst step in creating a police department by approving the policy for its formation.
A security o cer commissioned by a district
The district must coordinate with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement’s Special Services Division to authorize the department to operate.
SOURCES: EANES ISD, LAKE TRAVIS ISD, LEANDER ISD, TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMUNITY IMPACT To comply with these requirements, the bill stipulates that each campus will receive $15,000 per year plus an additional $10 per student to fund safety initiatives. How much is the state funding?
All ocers must go through the commission’s training, including psychological and medical examinations.
Additional training may be required by the district for: • Student mental health • Trauma-informed care • Age-appropriate responses and more
New Spyglass studio location! JillCarlucci.com
More than a score.
At Kastner Hill, we believe that success extends beyond the test. We strive every day to be more than just tutors and to always remember that a student is more than a score.
Jill Carlucci Restorative Fitness
What we offer: • SAT, ACT, and GRE Test Prep •AP Test Prep and Course support • College Admissions Essays & Writing Center
Scan Here to Learn More about our SAT/ACT and academic course tutoring
GYROTONIC ® Training. W ellness. Low Pressure Fitness 20% OFF any package thru 10/01/23. Code: RESTORE
www.kastnerhill.com | 512-961-4575 | 7035 Bee Caves Road, Unit 204 | Austin, TX 78746
32
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook