Senate School Committee told new tactics needed for New Norm of violence
AUSTIN, Texas - Members of the Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Security heard some tough talk Tuesday.
Some of the hardest words came from Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner. The sheriff testified it’s time to teach in schools what military medics do on battlefields.
"And I believe every teacher in this state, will understand the value once we teach them, that to learn how to use a tourniquet, learn how to apply pressure and treat a sucking chest wound for example, are two ways you can save lives, moments are precious,” said Sheriff Skinner.
Kathy Martinez-Prather with the Texas School Safety Center told the committee it’s no longer enough to know how to hide.
"What do you do if that door is breached, what do you do if you are standing in the middle of a hallway and you can’t go into a closed door, your body can’t go where the mind hasn't been,” said Martinez-Prather.
Creating Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams was also pitched. Prather said its done in Virginia where school employees are trained to recognize a student in crisis and learn how to intervene.
"Many of these things are difficult conversations to have with schools but very important ones to have,” said Martinez-Prather.
There was also a discussion about ways to provide campuses with more protection. The recent attacks have spurred new interest from school districts into creating their own police force. There are also districts looking into the School Marshall and Guardian programs.
The program allows employees to carry guns on campus after undergoing training. Chief Kim Vickers who heads up the Texas commission on law enforcement indicated the guardian program needs more state oversight.
"It’s a disaster waiting to happen in my opinion,” said Vickers when asked about what could happen if Guardians ran into SWAT Team members during an active shooter crisis.
Vickers also told the committee there are currently 207 school districts with police departments in Texas. Nine are inactive. Thirteen districts are considering forming departments. Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks testified he supports school police forces. He is currently working with RRISD on setting up a department. Chief Banks seemed pleased by what he heard from the committee, but said he is not interested in empty talk.
"What I need from them is to continue this conversation and to make sure they follow through on what we are asking and so far the fact we are having this conversation is positive, so what’s the follow up on this,” said Chief Banks.
Eventually there will be a discussion about funding. What that means for rural counties worries Jackson County Sheriff A.J. Louderback.
"I think the state leadership here is committed, and I think that they're dedicated, the real question is how much money is available to go around,” said Louderback.
It’s not known when the committee will start talking about funding options. The committee is expected to hold more hearings next month. A report on legislative recommendations would be issued before the Regular Session starts in January.