EPISD discusses revisions to student safety policies

Board members for the El Paso Independent School District discussed revisions to safety policies.

The district’s police Chief Victor Araiza requested the policy changes.

Araiza told ABC-7 policies that were written in 2006 concerning district police restrict the abilities of what the officers can do.

Ariaza said some policies kept the officers from performing duties in certain areas.

For instance, if a campus officer sees an incident several miles away from the school that could pose a threat — the officer would not be able to immediately address the issue unless it posed imminent danger.

Araiza wanted to change the policies to match what was recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards.

The state recommendations allow the district officers a larger reach when it comes to ensuring student safety.

Board members postponed on making a decision they want attorneys to review the policy changes first.

The district also received a $20,000 grant which will be used to buy rifle resistant vests which can stop bullets from a high-powered rifle.

The meeting is one of several that involves student safety.

Last week, EPISD’s Citizens Bond Advisory Committee held a meeting where safety was discussed.

The committee, which is made up of members from the community, oversees effective and efficient use of the district’s bond funds.

At the meeting, the CBAC along with the district’s security staff talked about what many school administrators are talking about right now: school safety.

In 2016, voters approved a $668 million bond.

The district has 17 major projects that range from school renovations to new buses.

A year before that, the district underwent a security assessment that highlighted weaknesses and strengths of its campuses.

Following the assessment, nearly $800,000 of bond money was earmarked for security improvements that included motion sensors, fencing for campuses and lighting for buildings across the district.

At the meeting, security staff members spoke with committee members on how they are working with architects renovating campuses to improve school security.

“We understand the open learning, the 21st century open learning environment and that kind of pedagogy, but what we’re looking for is to understand that we also need areas of safe refuge, break-out areas and those have been incorporated into the plans,” said Manuel Chavira, EPISD’s safe and secure manager.

Officials told ABC-7 that although the 17 school projects will have state-of-the-art security, it doesn’t mean others schools won’t get upgrades.

The district is also looking into getting more security cameras and adding secured access entries and security doors throughout the district.