Major changes to school safety laws. How is your school district doing?

KPRC 2 Investigates talks with parents about safety concerns, checks with area school districts

Getting classroom-ready also means keeping school campuses safe.

Texas students started the new school year with some major changes to school safety laws. KPRC 2 Investigates explains how local school districts are and are not complying with the new requirements.

KPRC 2 Investigates major school safety changes for school districts in Texas. (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Investigator Amy Davis sat down with parents from six different school districts with students from elementary to high school. They all share the same concern = Are their children safe in school?

“We can’t be there every single day,” said Santa Fe ISD parent Christina Delgado.

“If we’re not going to speak upon behalf of our student’s safety, who is?” said Clear Creek ISD parent Amanda Fenwick.

Texas lawmakers approved House Bill 3 which requires an armed, trained officer on every school campus. The law took effect September 1st. KPRC 2 Investigates asked 20+ school districts in our area if they were ready for the new rules. 10 told us they have secured enough officers or school guardians to comply with the new law.

KPRC 2 Investigates major school safety changes for school districts in Texas. (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

“House Bill 3 was great, but it didn’t have enough funding behind it to really be effective for any of us,” said Cy-Fair ISD mom Tonia Jaeggi.

Elements of House Bill 3

  • The law provides just $15,000 to each campus to use for school safety and security.
  • Requirement that schools notify parents of violent activity that occurred or is being investigated at a school campus.
  • There’s also a new mandate that says when a child transfers to a new district the former school district must provide the child’s disciplinary record along with any threat assessment on file involving the child’s behavior.
  • Also now required: annual intruder detection audits.

Amy asks, “How easy or difficult would it be for someone to just walk into your child’s school?”

“It is incredibly scary how easy it would be if I wasn’t supposed to be there. Just to say I’m picking up a second grader,” said HISD parent Monica Garcia.

But in Texas’ first intruder detection audit, completed in June, inspectors did not gain unauthorized access at more than 95% of Texas school campuses. All exterior doors at Texas school campuses must be locked and weekly door sweeps are required to make sure they’re secure.

“Who’s holding these districts accountable to ensure that they are going through these drills? Are they keeping up with walking these doors?” asked Delgado.

The Texas Education Agency is responsible for making sure all school districts are in compliance. Districts who cannot meet the requirements like paying for armed officers or school marshals can claim a good cause exception. But if they do the district has to come up with an alternative approved plan like an armed school district employee who has completed the safety training.


School security for school districts in our area

Houston area school districts are listed below in alphabetical order. Click on the district name for a direct link to the safety and security protocols for each district.

YES, OR NO? Is the district staffed with armed guards on every campus as stated in HB 3? You’ll find that answer next to each district below.

Alief ISD - YES

Alvin ISD - YES

Brazosport ISD - YES

Clear Creek ISD - YES

Conroe ISD - NO

Cypress Fairbanks ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Dickinson ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Fort Bend ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Friendswood ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Galveston ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Goose Creek ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Houston ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Humble ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Katy ISD -NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Klein ISD - Waiting for a response

LaPorte ISD - YES

New Caney ISD - Waiting for a response

Magnolia ISD - YES

Montgomery ISD - YES

Pasadena ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

Pearland ISD - Waiting for response

Santa Fe ISD - YES

Sheldon ISD - YES

Splendora ISD - YES

Spring Branch ISD - NO, FILE EXCEPTION

YES Prep - YES

Is there another district you would like us to check on for you? Email Investigates Producer Andrea Slaydon at ASlaydon@kprc.com.



About the Authors

Passionate consumer advocate, mom of 3, addicted to coffee, hairspray and pastries.

Award-winning TV producer and content creator. My goal as a journalist is to help people. Faith and family motivate me. Running keeps me sane.

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