Texas schools are expected to have armed security officers. This was confirmed by Allen ISD board members to comply with the new law signed by Governor Greg Abbott.
Texas Schools to Have Armed Security Officers
According to WFAA's latest report, Allen ISD board members voted on Monday, July 31, that they will comply with the new Texan law by hiring L&P Global, a private security firm.
"This protocol, this program, has to be built because it's the first," said Allen ISD Assistant Superintendent of Operations Brent Benningfield.
He informed Allen ISD board members that an armed police officer at secondary schools in the district is already on duty.
However, he said that available police officers are not enough to cover the remaining 17 elementary and early childhood campuses.
Because of this, he suggested hiring L&P Global so that they can have enough armed security guards.
Benningfield said hiring L&P Global could cost up to $700,000. But, he said that the grant money from the state will cover half of it.
"If there's not a possibility, there's also the possibility of a budget amendment," explained the Allen ISD official.
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Armed Security Officers to Protect Texan Students
Via NBC DFW, Benningfield said that the Allen ISD should be in pursuit of compliance by Sept. 1. He added that the best thing they can do is to provide the security needed for students and staff in Texas schools.
"Why would we wait a month to provide it when they're already in the building?" he further stated.
Benningfield explained that the contract with L&P Global will run the entirety of the 2023-2024 school year. However, he clarified that the service they will avail will not include security for after-school programs.
The Allen ISD official said that these armed security guards will protect students and school employees against active threats.
You can click this link to learn more about the efforts made by the Allen ISD to protect Texan students from possible mass shootings.
