Conroe ISD Seeks More Legislative Funds for Safety and Security

Conroe ISD leaders want more state funding for campus safety and security projects.

School safety remains a top concern for districts and while the state has made money for campus security improvements available, Conroe ISD officials say more funding is needed.

Conroe ISD trustees finalized its priorities Tuesday for the upcoming legislative session, including seeking an increase in the state allotment to provide funding for safety measures and mandated safety upgrades. House Bill 3, which went into effect in September 2023, made more than $1 billion available to public schools but only $10 per student for funding safety measures and $15,000 per campus.

The state’s annual allotment for Conroe ISD is roughly $1.6 million.

Trustee Stacey Chase, who spearheaded the list of priorities, said funding was needed to keep campuses safe and to improve cybersecurity protocols and enhance educational programs that teach students about online safety and responsible digital behavior.

“The state has done work here,” Chase said during an August meeting. “They have established some good measures to take and (are) required to take as a district. What they failed to do is actually provide funding for it.”

Most state funding is through a grant process which Chase said is not a “stable and consistent funding” mechanism.

Chris McCord, the district’s assistant superintendent for operations, said the district has received more than $13 million in grants to help with security enhancements for facilities and technology, including impact-resistant film, 6-foot anti-scaling fences and gates, security cameras, police body-worn cameras, police radios, door security hardware, campus security radios, and access control.

With the help of the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, the district also added panic alert technology that allows users to summon police, medical or fire personnel with the touch of a button on a cellphone.

Many districts are supplementing those funds with bond referendums.

Conroe ISD included $35 million for safety and security in its $1.8 billion bond approved by voters in November.

McCord said the district is working to finish safety projects by the end of the year, including renovations at several campuses. He said some of the initiatives include fire alarm updates, security cameras and access control for card readers.

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