Dallas ISD plan to comply with House Bill 3 security mandate

Dallas - In anticipation of a forthcoming Texas law mandating armed security at educational facilities, Dallas Independent School District (DISD) is launching an aggressive hiring initiative to onboard 167 new security staff for its campuses, Dallas Metro News reported.

In a unique move during a board meeting on August 24, the district's trustees activated a rarely used clause that allows them to hire Level 3 security officers, rather than adhering to the state's requirement for peace officers or standard school resource officers.

Level 3 security officers are set apart by their advanced training and certification from the Texas Department of Public Safety. While they are authorized to carry guns, their powers are strictly limited to emergency response and security duties; they cannot conduct arrests.

Stephanie Elizalde, the Superintendent of DISD, emphasized that the new security staff will receive comprehensive training from the DISD Police Department. "Our goal is to exceed the basic legal requirements. We're looking for individuals who bring more than just the skill to handle a firearm," Elizalde explained.

For the initial academic year under the incoming legislation, the district aims to utilize Level 3 officers, while simultaneously seeking to hire credentialed peace officers from other organizations to strengthen its existing police force. Elizalde indicated that the district's current law enforcement officials will likely take on managerial roles to ensure effective oversight.

Even though DISD has opted to use a special provision for hiring Level 3 security officers, the district is still required to create a long-term strategy for the next three to five years to fully integrate armed security into its schools.

Earlier this month, Dallas ISD revealed its struggles with fulfilling the security staffing requirements imposed by House Bill 3. Following this, Plano ISD also disclosed their own roadmap for complying with the state's security measures, joining other North Texas school districts facing similar challenges. Some districts are even turning to third-party security firms to meet their needs.

Signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, House Bill 3 dictates that armed security must be present on all school premises during normal operating hours, starting September 1. The new law has sparked widespread concern among school districts trying to navigate the logistical and financial complexities it brings. Superintendent Elizalde describes this challenge as a result of "severe underfunding" by state authorities.

This legislative action came on the heels of a heartbreaking mass shooting at an Uvalde, Texas, elementary school in 2022, where 19 students and two teachers were tragically killed.

Credit: Dallas Metro News, Dallas ISD, Texas Department of Public Safety