Adopted School Safety Standards
| Date: | June 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Adopted School Safety Standards |
| Category: | Information |
| Next Steps: | Submit grant applications by 08/01/2023 deadline |
Overview
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is committed to supporting local educational agencies (LEAs) in their efforts to improve the safety and security of school facilities for staff, students, and visitors. This letter provides information related to Adopted New 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 61, School Districts, Subchapter CC, Commissioner’s Rules Concerning School Facilities, §61.1031, School Safety Standards.
School Safety Standards
On June 2, 2022 Governor Abbott charged the Commissioner of Education with rule development to ensure existing school facilities are held to heightened safety standard, and to determine costs of more secure facilities in schools. As authorized by Texas Education Code (TEC), §§7.061 and 37.115(b), the School Safety Standards in 19 TAC §61.1031 were adopted on May 31, 2023, to address minimum school safety standards that will better ensure the safety of students and staff in our public schools. The adopted rule requires that all public school system instructional facilities have access points that are secured by design, maintained to operate as intended, and appropriately monitored.
School Safety Funding
2023-2025 School Safety Standards Formulary Grant
On November 3, 2022, TEA released a formula-based grant to support the school safety standards rule referenced above. The grant allows for pre-award for items purchased on or after June 1, 2022.
Application due date is: August 1, 2023
Grant details are available on the TEA Grant Opportunities page.
Future Funding
The Texas Legislature has provided new funding for school safety totaling $1.4 billion for the next two years, including $1.1 billion in one-time funding through the supplemental appropriations bill to address new minimum school safety standards and other facilities-related safety improvements. TEA will provide more information on accessing this funding in the coming months. In addition, the General Appropriations Act increases ongoing school safety funding by $300 million per biennium (about $150 million per year) through the school safety allotment and technical support/oversight programs.
Questions and More Information
More school safety resources are posted at the TEA Safe Schools Webpage. If you have any questions, please contact safeschools@tea.texas.gov.