What you need to know
NEISD officials said each emergency response team member is trained and equipped to handle a variety of emergency situations at a district facility. Many team members have military experience, and another has prior SWAT background.
According to NEISD officials, team members have responsibilities and capabilities that exceed those of traditional law enforcement first responders in emergency situations.
District officials added that, in the case of a life-threatening incident, team members will quickly deploy to contain, control and neutralize anyone who threatens the safety and welfare of students, staff and visitors.
The team will be available at the beginning of NEISD’s 2024-25 school year, which starts Aug. 12.
How we got here
Texas school districts are having to meet increased safety and security requirements in the wake of the 2022 Uvalde school shooting that left 19 students and two adults dead.
House Bill 3, passed by state lawmakers in 2023, mandates at least one armed guard be at each school and bolstered mental health resources for students.
Additionally, physical security is being shored up at NEISD schools and other facilities, the result of a $20 million allocation in the district’s $499 million bond, which voters passed in 2015.
What they’re saying
NEISD leaders said, aside from expanding the district’s police department, they are doing everything possible to improve safety and security.
“North East ISD wants to be the best district at the prevention of school violence but is also committed to implementing additional layers of security,” Superintendent Sean Maika said in a statement.
