Safety for students was a major topic at the Thursday, June 9, Hutto Independent School District board meeting.
As Hutto continues to grow, per Hutto ISD Board Policy Superintendent Celina Estrada Thomas announced the naming of the CW(Local), Middle School No. 3 would be open to public nominations until July 31. The top nominations will be presented to the board for approval at the Aug. 25 school board meeting.
Along with growth and expansion, the board discussed its district safety plan. Addressing safety at the meeting were Henry Gideon, assistant superintendent of operations, Kendra Estes, director of health and risk management; and Chief William Edwards, Hutto ISD chief of police.
Gideon assured the board the district will have a “fully embedded action plan” focused on the safety and well being of students and faculty not just during school hours but also in school related events such as athletic field days, ceremonies and graduations.
Estes spoke about the number of safety personnel throughout the district for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. Those personnel will include, as of July 1, eight lawenforcement members, eight campus safety officers, 18 health and risk management personnel including 14 nurses and 33 student support services representatives such as counselors and licensed mental health professionals.
Edwards said that the district should be “proactive and not reactive” while presenting preventative strategies for the future including making connections, building relationships and establishing trust.
Edwards also spoke on the” lock, lights out of sight” procedure on campuses.
“It’s about reducing yourself as a target and reducing the perimeter,” said Edwards.
For the community, the district discussed communication protocols, reporting tools and volunteer opportunities. Moving forward, the District Safety Committee wants to introduce live scenario training courses for parents.
Edwards addressed possible additional resources needed that include two additional safety officers for the 2022-23 fiscal year for elementary zone support, radios, IT cybersecurity and hardware and locksmiths.
Edwards noted on what is expected when expected regarding the goals of officers throughout the day during arrival and dismissal times and lunch times.
“Their areas are not limited to their areas of responsibility at least twice a day but also have a presence in official capacity such as field trips, band trips and away games,” said Edwards. “Our authority extends to those areas as well.”
The department has a goal to educate students on more than drivers’ education.
“They teach you the rules of the road. They teach you how to pass the test. They teach you how to parallel park. We have a great opportunity to teach these kids how to interact and react to driving situations,” said Edwards. “Certain situations such as yielding to EMS, fire and police vehicles and how to interact with pedestrians.”
In the district safety is a top priority as Hutto moves forward to the future.
