Heres how Cy-Fair ISD plans to keep campuses safe this school year

Cy-Fair ISDs Safety and Security Committee convened July 19 at the Berry Center to review ongoing safety and security measures in addition to a recent letter from the Texas Education Agency concerning the improvement of school safety statewide.

CFISD officials are continuing to work with individual campuses on safety audits, which were already underway when the state released this directive, officials said. As part of the state’s requirements, the district’s safety committee also reviewed current measures and response operations.

Among new projects is the implementation of an alarm system for propped-open doors. The district is working to install alarm systems for low-traffic doors that have been propped open. Per the committee, implementing this measure will allow those on campus to ensure the safety of limited points of access to the school.

Many layers of security were already in place in CFISD following recent bond programs. Fencing and doors in and around campuses limit access points to learning areas to provide blanketed security while students learn.

“One of the big things most recently due to the tragic events that have happened across our county is controlling access to campuses,” Director of Emergency Management Scott Hudson said. “And we were really focused on controlling those single points of entries that are monitored by campus staff or by alarms.”

In collaboration with local emergency services, CFISD shares floor plans for all campuses with fire departments and police departments, allowing them to have an idea of the campus layouts in the event of an emergency.

Other safety measures throughout the district include:

• Law enforcement presence of 116 CFISD police officers
• Security vestibules at campus entrances with impact-resistant glass
• Additional security cameras
• Lockdown panic buttons
• Card reader access locks
• Security intrusion panels
• Emergency call stations
• New radio and communication towers
• Classroom phones
• Limited access points
• Suicide hotline printed on student ID badges for grades 6-12
• Clear backpacks
• Clear bag policy at district stadiums
• Metal detectors for large events
• The Cy-Fair Tipline, an internal anonymous reporting system that shares information with the Cy-Fair ISD Police Department and campus administration
• Mental health interventionists; guidance and counseling; and psychological services
• An emergency response plan
• Required drills and training

The safety committee is slated to reconvene Aug. 30 to review the results of the safety audits.

For more information on the safety and security committee or to view the recorded meeting, visit CFISD’s webpage.