Expanded weapon detection screenings, enhanced lockdown drills and campus security projects were among the topics discussed during the Alvin ISD safety committee's July 23 meeting.
The committee includes district parents, administrators, local first responders and board members.
What you need to know
The district will expand its random weapon detection program to all junior high campuses for the 2026-27 school year after a six-month pilot at the high schools. During the pilot, officials increased screening capacity from about 300 students to over 1,000 students within 30 minutes, said Davon Ruiz, Alvin ISD's director of safety and security.
Parents will be notified that randomized screenings may occur throughout the year, but specific screening dates will not be announced, she said.
The district also plans to enhance lockdown drills by having Alvin ISD police and local first responders help clear classrooms during drills, giving law enforcement more familiarity with campus layouts and emergency response procedures.
Also of note
While a planned full-scale active threat and reunification exercise was postponed to the 2027-28 school year due to weather, Ruiz said the planning process resulted in stronger partnerships with local agencies and the establishment of the district's first reunification team.
The district is also awaiting the final Texas School Safety Center audit report, which is expected to be presented to the school board before its Aug. 31 submission deadline.
Ruiz noted that preliminary findings rated Alvin ISD highly overall, with only minor recommendations that district officials have already begun addressing.
What’s next?
Construction on secured vestibules, which are controlled entry points designed to improve campus security, is expected to be complete before the first day of school at several campuses Aug. 13, including Wilder, Hasse and Mark Twain elementary schools.
The committee's next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19, according to district documents
