Dallas ISD weighs exemption due to security staff shortage

Dallas - Dallas Independent School District (DISD) is facing significant challenges in implementing a newly enacted state law requiring the placement of an armed security guard at each of its 230 campuses. The complexity of this task includes not only the securing of funding but also the necessary staffing, according to a report by Dallas Metro News.

The issue is complicated further by the existing shortage of law enforcement officers in the state, as noted by DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde. She argues that the shortage justifies the consideration of invoking an available exemption, a provision used in cases of inadequate funding and personnel resources.

“While certainly dollars are important, remember that this board will never have dollars be an impediment to safety,” Elizalde said at an Aug. 10 news conference, as reported by Community Impact. “Truly the biggest issue is the availability of workforce.”

This situation arises from Governor Greg Abbott's recent signing of House Bill 3, mandating all Texas educational institutions to employ an on-site armed security officer during regular school hours starting September 1st. This requirement has sent shockwaves through school districts, pressuring them to navigate the substantial financial and logistical hurdles of this costly demand, a burden many argue is made worse by the state's insufficient funding.

In response, school districts have received a financial package from the state, including $15,000 per campus, totaling approximately $3.6 million annually for DISD, and a minor 28-cent increase in the state's safety and security allotment for each student, now totaling $10 per student.

However, these measures may not be enough to alleviate the economic strain. The total financial expenditure to uphold the new regulations will escalate into the multimillion-dollar range. DISD alone expects to spend around $12 million, while smaller districts like Richardson ISD anticipate costs near $2.5 million.

This intricate legal framework specifies three classifications for those who may be entrusted with the safeguarding of students, staff, and school property.

• School District Peace Officer: Such individuals must be employees of the district itself, holding a license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and duly commissioned by the very district they serve.
• School Resource Officer: This classification refers to commissioned peace officers, possessing the same training qualifications as traditional peace officers, but employed by a local municipality. Assignment to a specific school district occurs via a contractual agreement forged between the local municipality and the concerned educational district.
• Commissioned Peace Officer Employed as Security Personnel: This category includes off-duty commissioned peace officers, contracted either directly with the district or via a security services contractor licensed under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702.

The new law recognizes potential obstacles, such as financial constraints or a lack of qualified staff, that may hinder the execution of mandated security measures. In cases viewed as insurmountable, the district's board of trustees can invoke a good-cause exemption. Elizalde, a leading official, intends to utilize this provision, allowing the district to consider alternatives such as school marshals, guardians (including teachers and custodians), or specially licensed "level three security officers" who are authorized to carry firearms.

This approach by Elizalde signifies a marked shift from standard procedures. Rather than commissioning school marshals or guardians, the district is concentrating its efforts on the recruitment and training of level three security officers. Orchestrated by the DISD Police Department, this strategic initiative focuses on enhancing training standards beyond mere firearm handling skills.

Though equipped with advanced training, the role of level three officers will be strictly confined to security and emergency response, lacking the authority to make arrests. As part of this strategy, existing DISD police sergeants may be assigned to specific areas within the district, complementing the regular patrol officers.

In a recent press briefing, Elizalde revealed the immediate goal of an initiative that promises a maximum five-minute response time from the district's police to any elementary school, pending the appointment of armed security officers at all campuses. This is just the first step in a comprehensive plan.

For the inaugural year of this new legal framework, DISD will bring in level three security officers, and will simultaneously reach out to licensed peace officers across different areas to strengthen the police department.

Furthermore, DISD is required to outline a three- to five-year strategic plan under the stated good-cause exemption. This plan must clearly detail the gradual introduction of armed security guards, reflecting a considered and phased strategy for boosting school safety.

Content credit: Dallas Metro News, Community Impact, Dallas Independent School District