Safety & Security Newsletter

This information is intended solely to provide general information and guidance on school safety initiatives and reflects Region 10's current understanding of the topics applicable to state and federal guidance. The content is subject to change as a result of additional information and guidance provided by state and federal agencies with regulatory oversight. ESCs and LEAs may choose to seek legal counsel regarding the information and guidance.

• June 29, 2023 l Gun Free School Reports
• June 30, 2023 l SSSP Campus Reports I Threat Assessment Reports
• July 18, 2023 l The Texas Stronger Together Grant
• August 1, 2023 I School Safety Formula Grant Application
• August 30, 2023 l School Health Survey Reports
• September 15, 2023 l DAR Reports I Safety & Security Audit Reports
• September 29, 2023 l School Choice Option I Persistently Dangerous Schools & Criminal Incidents
• October 25, 2023 l Emergency Operations Plans and Annexes

TEA Gun Free Report Guide

The Gun-Free Schools (GFS) Report 2022-2023 is now available under the Compliance Reports tab on eGrants.

• If an LEA answers NO on incidents in the PR6000 District Report, the PR 6100 Campus Report is not required.
• If the LEA accidentally starts the PR6100 Campus Report, the system will keep it as a draft with no adverse consequences.
• If an LEA answers YES on incidents in the PR6000 District Report, then the PR6100 Campus Report must be completed.

Questions should be directed to the Federal Program Compliance Division at ESSASupport@tea.texas.gov or 512-463-9499.

SSSP Data Collection – Report to TEA by CAMPUS. Sent to Campus Principals and Safety Contact list in AskTed.

The SSSP Campus Data Collection Report link is universal and can be shared with each person responsible for reporting SSSP data in your district.

2022-2023 SSSP data reporting instrument: https://ssspdatacollection.tea.texas.gov.

Once the SSSP Campus Data Collection Report is submitted, a confirmation email should be sent to the email address the submitter gave. This email will contain a copy of the answers they submitted on the report. It would be a good idea for the district to collect and keep these email copies as proof of compliance.

The deadline completion date is June 30, 2023.

• SSSP Data Collection Questions for 2022-2023 School Year (texas.gov)
• SSSP Team Activity - Campus Name.xlsx | Texas Education Agency
• SSSP Data Collection Tool Guide (texas.gov)
• SSSP Data Collection Instrument Samples 2022-2023 School Year.

The Texas Stronger Connections Grant is due July 18, 2023

Texas Stronger Connections Grant Opportunity | Texas Education Agency

The grant will provide the following:

• Professional development and funding for training for Safe and Supportive Schools Programs.
• Technical assistance to support development, implementation, and sustainable practices.
• Development of family and community engagement partnerships.
• External coaching to support safe and healthy development and implementation.
• Trauma-Informed practices, emergency plan development, and site assessments.
• Development of personnel for Student Support Team framework and implement school-related related Initiatives.

TEA eGrant Application

TEA released a TAA on June 1, 2023, concerning the Adopted School Safety Standards. These are the standards that LEAs must meet with the 2023-2025 School Safety Standards Formulary Grant, which has an application due date of August 1, 2023.

The link to the Adopted School Safety Standards found in the TAA includes responses to public comments.

Here is a link to the TAC §61.1031. Commissioner's Rules Concerning School Facilities as they are posted at TEA.

Adopted School Safety Standards | Texas Education Agency

Information in the Texas Education Correspondence.

District and open-enrollment charters must complete the 2022-2023 School Health Survey on or before 5:00pm (CDT) on August 30. 2023.

Public schools safety audit cycle:

September 2020 – August 2023

August 31, 2023 – Audit Process ends

September 15, 2023 – DAR due to TxSSC

Districts may begin reporting audit results after receiving the DARtool link and access code.

Questions concerning DAR? Please email txssc_audit_info@txstate.edu

Charter Schools Safety Audit Cycle:

Contact: Safety and Security Audits: txssc_audit_info@txstate.edu

Title VIII, School Choice Option - PR6200

Available: July 28, 2023

Due: September 29, 2023

TEA Unsafe School Choice Option Guidance Handbook

• See Transfer Policy
• See Policy for "Persistently Dangerous"

EOPs and Annexes can be requested at any time by Texas School Safety Center.

2023-2024 Review Cycle
During the 2023-2024 review cycle, the TxSSC will review the Basic Plan, Severe Weather Annex, and Hazardous Materials Annex (including the Train Derailment Appendix) of independent school districts and open-enrollment charter districts.

• March 22, 2023: Evaluation criteria for 2023-2024 review cycle sent to superintendents.
• September 25, 2023: Email requesting EOP documents for the 2023-2024 review cycle will be sent to superintendents.
• October 25, 2023: Deadline to submit plans for the 2023-2024 review cycle.

• EOP Basic Plan Toolkit and EOP Basic Plan Checklist
• Severe Weather Toolkit and Severe Weather Checklist
• Hazmat Toolkit and Hazmat Checklist
• Train Derailment Appendix and Train Derailment Checklist (Inside HAZMAT Toolkit)

Emergency Operations Plan Review Contact: txssc_EOP@txstate.edu

Additional Toolkits

• NEW: Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Toolkit
• NEW: Emergency Communications Toolkit and Course
• Psychological Resilience Toolkit

The Texas Education Agency has advised that door sweeps are not required if students are not on campus for summer school. Campuses with summer school will need to continue to ensure they are in compliance with the rule and performing the required sweeps.