Governor Abbott calls for immediate School Safety Review of Texas Public Schools

Sierra Martin | Managing Editor

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter to Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather at Texas State University, directing the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) to begin immediately conducting comprehensive school safety reviews to ensure all Texas public schools are following the appropriate procedures to maximize school safety.

Dr. Martinez-Prather currently serves as the Director of the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) at Texas State University in San Marcos. The TxSSC is a university-level research center and is tasked by the Texas Education Code and the Governor’s Homeland Security Strategic Plan with key school safety initiatives to distribute school safety information related to training, research, and technical assistance.

Governor Abbott sent the letter in an attempt to increase safety at public schools throughout the state after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, last week that left 19 children and two teachers dead. 

Governor Abbott said that more has to be done to ensure the safety of children after last week’s tragic events, and the state must establish a culture of constant vigilance that is “ingrained in every campus and in every school district employee across the state.”

“Though much has been done, there is a clear, convincing, and urgent need to continue and expand upon the work the TxSSC and school districts across the state are doing,” said Governor Abbott. 

In the letter to Dr. Martinez-Prather, Governor Abbott instructs that TxSSC ensure all school districts’ School Safety and Security Committees meet ahead of the new school year to review their Emergency Operations Plan and address any campus safety needs.

Additionally, Abbott asks the TxSSC to ensure the School Behavioral Threat Assessment Team is trained and has reviewed procedures for each campus, ensure all staff and substitutes are trained on their specific district and campus safety procedures and conduct an assessment of their access control procedures. 

TxSSC is instructed to provide a progress report of findings to the Governor’s office and the Legislature by October 1, 2022.

“The work and trainings provided by the Texas School Safety Center has reached thousands of schools and instructors and has benefited millions of Texas school children,” said Governor Abbott. “However, the tragedy at Robb Elementary School last week requires us all to do more. I am charging the TxSSC, in coordination with the TEA, to develop and implement a plan to conduct random inspections to assess access control measures of Texas school districts.”

Governor Abbott said that, among other reviews, the TxSSC team should begin conducting in-person and unannounced intruder detection audits on school districts across the state. 

“Also, the TxSSC should immediately begin working with my office and the Legislature on recommendations to improve current security systems and determine the funding necessary to continue the work of hardening our schools against outside threats,” said Abbott. “Texans have never shirked away from a challenge, and I know with the support of state leadership, we can continue the work of improving each student’s experience in our schools.”