Pflugerville TX school district adds unarmed security officers
Pflugerville TX June 26 2018
In response to an increase in school shootings around the country, the Pflugerville school district board of trustees last week approved 11 campus security positions to increase student safety.
District spokesman Steve Scheffler said the new security officers — which will be staffed at high schools and middle schools by the start of the next school year — will provide routine security and protection for students and staff.
“They will also assist school administration in maintaining order and resolving conflicts,” he said, adding the new positions will not replace student resource officers currently on campuses.
High schools will have two security positions while one will be assigned to each middle school.
The board’s approval on June 21 followed prior discussions during administrative meetings and a district community forum on safety held in May.
“Increased security on campuses has been a concern voiced by parents and the community, not just in Pflugerville but regionally and nationwide,” Scheffler said in an email.
Board President Vernagene Mott said the district’s health and safety team studied emergency procedures and plans before recommending the positions.
“This was their recommendation in light of national state and local events that have happened to remain proactive in our safety and security practices,” she said.
The security officers will be paid in the range of $15 per hour, Scheffler said. Unlike school resource officers, they will be unarmed.
The new personnel will go through the required Level 2 training with the Texas Department of Public Safety. They will also go through de-escalation training and any future training held by the Pflugerville school district police department, Scheffler said.
In May, the school board approved the removal of fire alarm pull stations from all campuses in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, where the shooter activated a fire alarm to force students out of classrooms.
“Our leaders, our safety director, they’re on top of this and looking at what other school districts are doing and what will fit best for us and keep us in the loop of what they think is best,” Mott said.
Statesman
