November 2023 Committee on School Initiatives Item 6

Discussion of Revisions to Required School Safety Training for School District Trustees

November 16, 2023

COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITITAIVES: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the committee to discuss revisions and provide feedback to the school safety training curriculum for school district trustees.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), 11.159(b-1).

TEC, §11.159(b-1), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to require a trustee to complete training on school safety. The SBOE, in coordination with the Texas School Safety Center, must develop the curriculum and materials for the training.

The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: House Bill 690, passed by the 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, requires the SBOE to require a trustee to complete training on school safety. The SBOE coordinates with the Texas School Safety Center to develop the curriculum and materials for the training.

In November 2021, the SBOE approved the school safety training and made it available on TEA Learn in February 2022. The SBOE adopted rules governing the new school safety training in 19 TAC §61.3 which became effective on May 31, 2022.

Staff Members Responsible:
John Scott, Chief of School Safety and Security
Christopher Lucas, Director, Policy, Planning, and Operations, Governance