EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Independent School District is seeking a “good cause” exception from a state mandate requiring an armed officer at every campus, citing a shortage of officers.
KFOX14/CBS4 spoke to EPISD District 2 Trustee Alex Cuellar who said, “We had to file it to be in compliance to at least show the state that we are working for compliance. But without filing the exemption, then we could be subject to sanctions by TEA, and that’s the last thing that we want to happen.”
Documents from Tuesday’s meeting said the district is facing a shortage in qualified peace officers, similar to what other law enforcement agencies are experiencing.
According to Cuellar, the district’s police department is currently 13 officers short of its 44-officer allotment.
Cuellar noted that EPISD has partnerships with the El Paso Police Department and a private security company to ensure officer presence at campuses, but it still falls short of the mandate of having an armed officer at each campus.
Cuellar said the shortage in officers can be as a result of the negative stigma around the career. He adds EPISD is working to recruit and hire the right personnel.
“The only thing I can tell you is that we’re doing our best to actively recruit, and it’s not just about recruiting anybody, it’s about recruiting that specific somebody,” Cuellar said.
Cuellar adds, he is working to create an advisory committee where EPISD can talk to other local superintendents, and law enforcement agencies to see what resources and ideas are working.
Meantime, State Rep. Vince Perez highlighted the broader issue, stating, “It’s a problem not just in our educational system to comply with this law. It’s a problem with all local law enforcement departments, all police departments, sheriff’s departments that are all of these departments are competing for the same pool, the same limited pool of qualified officers.”
In a statement, State Rep. Eddie Morales emphasized for districts to be able to comply with the law, they need more state support:
Across Texas parents want nothing more than to feel comfortable sending their child to school. As we continue to see violence in our schools across the country, it is crucial we take seriously the importance of protecting our students, teachers, and staff. I supported HB 121 and would ideally expect every school district across the state to be in compliance – no district would want to deliberately be out of compliance. However, for many districts across the state, it simply is not feasible without additional state support. It is incumbent upon the Legislature and state leadership to ensure these schools have the means to fulfill these mandates. Too often, districts have been shortchanged while the Legislature imposes more and more requirements. That needs to change, and it must come from the willingness of leadership to take more seriously the importance of school safety.
EPISD released a statement on Friday:
El Paso ISD is aware of the requirements outlined in House Bill 121. The El Paso ISD Board of Trustees has approved a Good Cause Exception as the district continues working diligently to recruit and secure certified peace officers for every campus. Ensuring the safety and security of all students and staff remains a top priority.
KFOX14/CBS4 also reached out to the other two largest districts in El Paso.
Ysleta Independent School District said it is compliance with the mandate and has an armed officer at every campus
kFOX14/CBS4 has not head back from the Socorro Independent School District.
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