At the Tuesday, Aug. 9, Fort Worth ISD (FWISD)Board of Education meeting, District staff presented a safety and security update highlighting new and improved practices that will help prepare for the new school year.

Throughout the summer, a cross-functional team of FWISD security, operations, maintenance, technology, and capital improvement staff have been working to track and monitor the following safety measures:

• Access Control, including weekly exterior door sweeps
• Doors and Locks
• Cameras
• Fire Alarms
• Intercoms
• PA Systems

Additional safety action steps required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) are currently underway and scheduled to be completed by the Sept. 1 deadline.

Other enhanced safety measures underway this year include:

• A new emergency management communications (EMCOM) system with mobile App access
• Continued reduction in the number of portable buildings at secondary campuses    
• Free training by the Fort Worth Police Department for all FWISD teachers and campus-based staff
• Expanded roles for campus safety and emergency response teams (CSERT), including participation in planning, preparedness, and response phases of emergency management

Standard FWISD practices that have proven effective and will be reiterated, including:

• The District’s boots-on-the-ground staff year-round, including school resource officers (SROs), part-time peace officers, area advisers, campus monitors, safety officers, 24/7 security desk staff, contracted security services, and a K-9 unit
• Required ID badges for secondary students and staff at all FWISD facilities.
• Ongoing safety training for various employee groups, including substitutes and operations personnel
• A Visitor Management System (VMS) where visitors must present a government-issued photo ID and sign in at the main office to enter any FWISD facility
• Online campus drill reporting tool to document all required monthly safety and security activities, including metal detector usage for secondary schools  

 The District encourages everyone to avoid dangerous habits that could potentially create an unsafe condition, including propping doors open, utilizing security staff for non-security tasks, delays in reporting safety equipment problems, and failing to complete safety drills.

“School safety is a shared responsibility. If you see something, say something,” said Deputy Superintendent Karen Molinar, “We need the entire community to join us in this effort to make FWISD a safe environment for students and staff.”

Individuals, including students, are asked to contact the Tarrant County Crime Stoppers hotline at 817-469-TIPS (8477) to report any suspicious activity.

For more information about FWISD’s safety and security, visit fwisd.org/safety. Visitors can access tips and resources and learn more about the District’s Know the Plan initiative to keep everyone safe.