State funding has been secured for a series of security projects in the El Paso Independent School District, which encompasses some eighty campuses and more than 350 square miles.
The funding is coming in the form of a Safety and Facilities Enhancement grant, a program that is funded through the Texas State Legislature.
Just over $34.6 million in grant funding is being awarded to the district to tackle a series of district-wide facility and infrastructure security initiatives.
In a statement, Manuel Chavera, chief of the El Paso ISD Police Services, remarked: “Providing safe, comfortable environments where learners can be inspired and empowered to thrive is paramount to what we do.”
In a separate statement, Diana Sayavedra, EPISD Superintendent of Schools, noted that the grant is “the second-highest amount awarded to a Texas school district,” and will be used to “meet state-mandated safety standards.”
The largest grant went to the Houston Independent School District.
The grants are designed to pay for such facility items as fencing, anti-scaling devices, and emergency egress gates, among other things. The grants are the result of legislation earlier passed by Texas lawmakers, additionally requiring school districts to have an armed security guard at every school.
By Garry Boulard
