September 2021 Committee on School Initiatives Item 4

Discussion of Required School Safety Training for District Trustees

September 2, 2021

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

SUMMARY: House Bill (HB) 690, passed by the 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, 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. This item provides an opportunity for the board to discuss school safety training curriculum proposed by the Texas School Safety Center.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.159(b-1), as amended by HB 690, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021.

TEC, §11.159(b-1), requires the 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: This item provides an opportunity for the board to discuss an outline of the school safety training curriculum proposed by the Texas School Safety Center and to provide feedback on the proposed outline. In order to meet the January 1, 2022, statutory deadline the training curriculum and materials will be submitted to the SBOE for review and final approval at the November 2021 meeting.

The SBOE has adopted continuing education requirements for school board members in 19 TAC Chapter 61, Subchapter A. Following approval of the curriculum and materials, a proposed amendment to 19 TAC §61.101 to add the school safety training requirement will be presented to the board for consideration at a future meeting.

Staff Member Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Support Services