TxSSC
A Parent's Guide to School Safety Toolkit
2.10 School Safety and Security Committee
The school safety and security committee provides central coordination of safety efforts and assists with drills and exercises, school safety and security audits, policy development, and training. The committee is made up of school district and community partners that collaboratively provide recommendations to the district’s board of trustees and district administrators. The purpose of this committee is specifically related to ensuring the safety and well-being of the students and staff within the district. Each district has their own committee so that they can provide feedback specific to the needs of their district.
Who is on the committee?
The committee, to the greatest extent practical, must include:
- The city or county’s office of emergency management – at least one representative.
- The local police department or sheriff’s office – at least one representative.
- From the board of trustees – the president and at least one other representative of the board.
- The district superintendent.
- Two or more designees of the district superintendent, one of whom must be a district classroom teacher and one of whom must now be an administrator of special education in the district.
- Parents or guardians of currently enrolled students – at least two.
- If the district has an instructional partnership with an open-enrollment charter school – a member of the charter school’s governing body, or their designee.
- If the district has its own police department, at least one representative.
Collaborative partners to support the committee may include, but are not limited to:
- Local emergency management
- First responders, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services (EMS)
- Local, state, and federal officials
- Parent organizations
- Local health authority
- Community mental health organizations
- Building inspectors or public works
The size of the committee may be adjusted according to the size of the district. Collaborative partners are selected based on the knowledge and experience they possess related to the duties of the school safety and security committee. This committee meets at least once during each academic semester and once during the summer. A committee that is established by a school district that operates schools on a year-round system, or in accordance with another alternative schedule, shall meet at least three times during each calendar year with an interval of at least two months between each meeting.
Committee Responsibilities
Participate in the development and implementation of the district’s emergency plans by ensuring they are consistent with the district’s EOP.
Provide periodically to the board of trustees and district administration, recommendations to update the district’s EOP according to the best practices identified by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas School Safety Center, or an individual in the TxSSC’s Registry.
Provide, as necessary, recommendations based on communications with campus administrators per Commissioner Rules for updating the district EOP required to include recommended accommodations for a student with an IEP or 504 Plan.
Ensure the district EOP reflects specific campus, facility, or support services needs, including recommended accommodations for a student with an IEP or 504 Plan.
Supply any campus, facility, or support services information required to the district for completion of their safety and security audit, safety and security audit report, or any other report required to be submitted to the Texas School Safety Center.
Review each report the district submits to the Texas School Safety Center to ensure it contains accurate and complete information.
Consult with local law enforcement agencies on how to increase their presence near district campuses.
Select where bleeding control stations are to be placed in schools, ensuring they are in easily accessible areas.
Meet together publicly, at least once each academic semester and during the summer.
Take training on Psychological First Aid.
How do I serve on this committee?
If you are interested in serving on this committee, speak with your district’s superintendent, school emergency manager, school resource officer (SRO), or anyone who is on the committee to express your interest.