CISD to hold hearing on school security

School safety and security will be the topic of a public hearing at Clarendon CISD next Monday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in the Administration & Technology Building

The hearing comes after parents’ comments at the March 26 board meeting addressed school security and their concerns about additional steps they thought the district should consider taking, including arming school personnel.
School officials could not respond to comments made in open forum, and discussion on the security agenda item was held in closed session.

Superintendent Mike Norrell said Monday’s hearing will be held at the opening of the school board’s regular meeting and will allow for those in attendance to provide feedback and have discussion about security with school officials and trustees.

“Our highest priority is to do the best we can to protect our students,” Norrell said. “We continue to welcome parent feedback and my door is always open to discuss concerns.”

Security has been a priority of Clarendon CISD for a long time, but shootings at schools in other parts of the nation have heightened awareness of the issue for educators and parents. Many school districts in Texas, including Hedley ISD, have gone as far as approving certain school personnel to carry or have access to firearms.

“That has been part of the discussion in the past,” Norrell said. “Everything is up for discussion, and we’re already taking steps to improve our security, some of which will be in place within two weeks.”

Chancy Cruise, Jackie Bell, Corey Gaither, Zack Robinson, and Michael Newhouse addressed the school board’s last meeting. Some of the men mentioned arming personnel as an option, and all of them urged the school to take steps to improve security.

Clarendon CISD conducts a security audit every three years, but an additional audit was scheduled for this week outside of the usual schedule. Norrell said an employee with the Amarillo Police Department will conduct a comprehensive review of the school’s facilities, policies, and procedures.

The superintendent said the findings of that report will be available for the board by the April meeting, but he also said security vulnerabilities as well as some specific school security measures are not public information.

Norrell said Clarendon conducts drills for active shoot or intruder situations throughout the year, which are evaluated, and then issues arising from those drills are addressed.

Two years ago, CCISD implemented the CopSync system, which provides immediate access and alerts law enforcement to an emergency. Each teacher has access to the system. The school also has a network of cameras and expanded that network this year. The school also uses a StopIt notification system to report offenses like bullying or other suspicions, Norrell said.

Within the last two months, Norrell said the school improved its ability to communicate internally with its phone systems.

“Additionally, our local DPS officers make routine visits to our campus and walk the grounds and halls,” Norrell said, noting that the DPS office is two blocks away and that the sheriff’s office has an “impressive” response time.

“There are changes coming to the access of our buildings that will be different and perhaps less convenient,” Norrell said. “Our campus, like many other older campuses throughout the state and nation, was built to be open. We have tried to create a welcoming environment to our students, their parents and grandparents, and our community. Unfortunately, our society is changing, and we must adapt.”

Norrell concedes that it is impossible to protect children and staff from everything, and he says scenarios can be endless. But he also says it is important for the school to stay vigilant.

“I believe there is a trust between the school and our parents that is renewed every morning they drop off their kids, put them on a bus, or send them on their way to school,” Norrell said. “We don’t take that trust for granted; and while we are not perfect, we will do our best to protect our kids.”