La Vega ISD holds meeting for new safety and security committee ahead of upcoming school year

BELLMEAD, Texas (KWTX) - As we approach a new school year, the safety of staff and students on campus is now on the top of everyone’s mind.

In response to the increase of violence in schools over recent years, many school districts like La Vega ISD are now taking steps to ensure the safety and security of their schools.

Andrew Turner, the Assistant Police Chief for La Vega ISD, said it “used to be just send kids to school, get educated, graduate, be a productive citizen in the community. Now… you know safety first”.

Earlier today La Vega ISD’s police department, district officials, and several community members all came together to discuss how to create and maintain a safe environment within their schools this year.

One of La Vega’s instructional specialists, Chris Borland, explained that today’s meeting is the start of a new district committee.

“We meet a lot within La Vega ISD internally, but this actually brings in outside resources,” Borland shared, “we’re bringing in people from the community so that they’re aware of what we’re doing”.

This is in accordance with Texas Education Code, Section 37.109, which requires districts to form a school safety and education committee that has representation from inside and outside the district.

This includes:

1. The city or county’s office of emergency management – at least one representative.

2. The local police department or sheriff’s office – at least one representative.

3. From the board of trustees – the president and at least one other representative of the board. 4. From the district – the superintendent and at least another designee, one being a district classroom teacher.

5. Parents or guardians of currently enrolled students – at least two.

6. If the district has an instructional partnership with an open-enrollment charter school – a member of the charter schools’ governing body, or their designee.

7. If the district has its own police department – at least one representative.

“Not only is the police department responsible for the safety of the students, but it’s also the staff members and it’s also the parents… just having that communication,” Turner said.

The most recent updates to this legislation were mainly in response to the tragic shooting in Uvalde back in 2022.

Turner shared that, “It’s sad, but you have to learn from history”.

Overall, the purpose of this committee is to make sure every part of a school district is on the same page so schools are better prepared for emergencies.

“If all we’re going to do is plan and think and wait then things can sneak up on us and things can happen, but by making sure that we’re doing things in a timely manner and trying to get on top of them as soon as possible then you know hopefully we can prevent anything else tragic ever happening,” Borland explained.

The committee is required to meet three times a year to discuss and decide on everything from emergency plans, trainings, and security; together keeping their schools safe.

Many school districts in our area and across the state already had a safety and security committee in place, but their role in the district is now more important than ever.

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