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TEXAS Senate SCHOOL SAFETY HEARING TODAY

includes arming teachers

Senate of the 83rd Legislature
Date: Monday, 01/28/2013
Time: 2:00 PM
Notes: A joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs & Homeland Security, and Senate Committee on Education to follow 30 min. upon adjournment of the Senate.

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2:30 dong reading & referral of bills
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/bin/live.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Who the heck uses Realmedia for anything anymore?

Someone needs to file a bill to get them to switch to something new.

dicion wrote:Who the heck uses Realmedia for anything anymore?

Someone needs to file a bill to get them to switch to something new.

2:39 Senate adjourned till 29th (tomorrow) and in 30 minutes the school safety meeting should start

I keep seeing on news something about a "panel" consisting of "experts" from NRA and Brady Campaign including John Woods who wasn't at a mass shooting when one occurred... not sure if that's TX or USA as I keep missing that news item
===============================

This may or may not be accurate, but it's as good as I can do

committee roll call and started at 3:01 (next school safety meeting on thurs)
Lucio = vice chair
Estes = Chair

Each witness gets 7-10 minutes
Dr Victoria Calder director of TX school safety center explains the role in training / safety plans/audit self-assessments- schools turn in results to them each 3 years- some schools did not comply or were deficient in data supplied etc, but they are not a regulatory agency and can't force them to. They don't train firearms, but train what to do in 5 types drills for disaster/active shooter/weather/----- evac/shelter in place/ reverse evac, severe weather, lockdown. They have no teeth, no means to enforce or make schools comply.
Someone else needs to do firearms training.

then

Dr Blair Advanced law enforcement SWTXSU
Trains law enforcement what to do.
---
They ask him about if CHL would confuse LEO
Reply, When officer enters ..CHL with his/her gun out ... is at high risk of being shot same as an off duty officer would be.

Asking about protocols ... how for teacher (or chl) with gun to identify to officer as not the bad guy
is there such a protocol
no
can such a protocol be developed?
yes

He recommends asking Harrold ISD how they planned protocol

conflict or ambiguity
RE: Tex Education Code 37.081
odd question about making a teacher a commissioned police officer because board authorizing employee a weapon that person must be a commissioned peace officer

but refer to 46.03 Penal "unless"... allows other chls/teachers IF permission ...

is that Ellis >>>Questions School Zones and weapons law (GFSZ) unfamiliar with the Federal Exemption for CHL/State licensees? asks isn't there a no weapons in school zones law.
reply ....Will need researching ...

half of shooters were stopped prior to police arriving (Secret Service Study page 14 Stopping School Shootings done prior to Virginia Tech, quoted)

Questions about "accidents"
Reply: none in Utah reported and they've done for years

then

DPS Director Stephen {Quall?}
Speaks on
Active shooter training (not just at schools, but could be anywhere)
lists school shootings starting at UT, Columbine, V.Tech, etc

right now
592,000 chls
3,019 chl instructors
only about about 2,000 officers in Texas schools right now


recommend if teachers armed, stay in classroom, defense, not run around hallways looking for shooter and police find them or shooter get their gun too

DPS talks of weapon retention training

Question any problems with CHL holders getting shot by officers here so far? any difference in public situation versus school setting?
reply : off duty officers are at risk too, we look for who has a weapon out
Ok, no one has example yet of a problem, thanks


Question: Assault weapons should they be done away with?
no one has made such recommendation
---

Dr Victoria Calder mentioned a school being blown up w/ dynamite; not just shooters
---------
Question to DPS and Dr Calder
are you developing protocols or waiting tor legislature
(waiting to see what's wanted)

but current law allows chl teachers if they/ISD desires to grant permission, so perhaps you all should begin working on protocols based on others may do it before legislature "allows" it
reply: ok good idea
--------

panel 1 dismissed, panel 2 called (several school superintindents and isd police dept chiefs)

Interesting, thank you for the play by play. I'm swamped at work, but very interested in following this topic

Panel2
1st speaker from Harrold ISD
frangible ammo
teacher with chl approved by isd
etc requirements
since oct 2007 5 years

Reasons: 1) Amish school shooting = Milkman they'd let in thru their locked doors too/ cameras can photograph, but not "protect"
and 2) Virginia Tech hide under desk method failed

like Air Marshals, anonymity so no one knows which are armed, must be ON BODY, no purse carry etc other responders "Guardians" know each other, admins know, others don't School paid for ammo, gun reimbursement, and "additional training expense AND THEY PAY A STIPEND FOR THAT SERVICE TO THOSE GUARDIANS
==========

46.03 penal gave them authority per school district's attorney

how many guardians
Reply: we don't answer that question

what's total cost
I hesitate to answer if you intend to figure how many are there

He estimate cost half a security guard salary, but ammo costs vary high now

======
Senator asks:
Doesn't shooter usually stop upon being confronted?
asking experts later

==================

then Supt Brian Gray from Union Grove
also rural like Harrold
Passed out new policy and in process of writing regulations like Harrold's

Parents requested it at school board meeting
100% support it locally
99% of all feedback is positive

Local LEO depts and EMTs are helping develop regulations

Supt Gray very very good
==========================
Supt. Dunn:Vann ISD

they have SRO @ High School only
cameras and buzz-in doors everywhere

they looked at 5 minute gap in time before police can arrive, only took Connecticut 3 minutes to do his deeds, SRO can't get from high school to Middle school in 3 minutes police can't

so this is to be interim until police arrive, during that gap of defenselessness time

hAVE HAD OVERWHELMING SUPPORT TO ARM ADMIN/TEACHERS PASSED IT LAST WEEK

Facebook: responses "thank you so much for protecting our kids"==================
==========================

COO Austin ISD
oversees food services .....police etc

The HS officer can run to the elementary if needed

visitors must wear a badge

doors are locked buzz in like in Connecticut

SROs teach gang resistance and do mental counseling and advise against drug use and other topics

dispatchers are trained how to dial 911

they have yearly audits

SROs take courses at Sam Houston and the force on force shooter course at S Tx and are peace officers

they can run to an elem school if needed from the HS/Middle School and a patrol officer can run to one too

?? Does anyone know SRO response time for elem Schools?
Reply: no

No idea how long for Patrol to arrive at Elem?
Reply: no idea

Is AISD considering armed officers AT elem schools?
Reply: no, we may increase patrols who "loiter" near groups of schools
===================
next

Dallas ISD Police Dept
Chief Miller"
seen how trained LEOs react to level of force used questioning and doesn't want to see teachers go through that

no plans to put Leos at elem schools

They'll try to "harden the facilities"

They plan...
need to add cameras like stop and go has to record photos of shooters for playback on TV news later
need card readers locks like motel doors have
portable buildings need stronger doors and peepholes

I want to buy this Harrold ISD Superintendant lunch at least.. perhaps even a brand new carry piece.

This guy is awesome.

Third Panel 4:39 pm
Catherine Clark Exec Dir. w/ Tex Assn school boards
seems to advocate local control in policy making

There is a heightened interest in what does the law say penal code vs education code
that's what they do...provide that info to the districts
=================
Amy Banecky
of
tasa
superintendents admins

local control over policy is what the members of that org recommend

consensus = allow local decision arming teachers etc

====================
( missed her name ... cooking TV dinner instead of going to Monday night regular eatin' spot )
Paris ISD
she holds a CHL

Head of Nationwide Association of ...teachers... ATPE

maybe a bit biased against guns around kids
Local control
=============================


Barb Beecham?
Texas PTA legislative PAC

compares 9-11 TSA and locking the cabins, and not arming flight attendants after 9/11 to now
so not arming school people ...
but ...

EMPHATICALLY AGAINST ARMING TEACHERS, but try everything else

Question: TSA scanners?
Reply no, maybe metal detectors (like the one they passed gun under fence at school with one?)
probably no shoe removal


Her position PTA is ... can't vote until July but she's unaware of anyone FOR guns it's on the table, (unlike what she just tried to imply)

so ... we might be open minded, but not JUST arming teachers ... no position until July vote

Still says local control if taking a position causes a split in their membership, but SHE prefers unarmed teachers, though the membership can't vote till July but she's projecting that TX PTA thinks like she does even though some rural ones aren't lately ...

She can do a poll of their members
=============

Dr Gene Sheets Muleshoe ISD and Assn Rural schools

Recommendations
1) Flexibility in disciplining according to case as they know the kids in small schools and mental issues but hands tied by resources

2) financial don't pass an unfunded mandate to secure- farmers/drought can't afford officers mental counselors etc

can't afford all this equipment/officers
cost of training--firearms on campus should be local decision---

3 liability- need immunity

Several submitted position/written testimony, including but not limited to:
Alice Tripp not testifying
Peggy Veneble written testimony

next panel = bunch of random witnesses

2 guys out of 4 or 5 from
Vigilant Eagle - experienced ,military vets + private security firm
immediate effective response on site is needed
casualties reduced greatly by immediate confrontation on site

Patty who has a CHL
Legislative counsel for ... teachers
65,000 teachers
taking a survey poll of members and will get info to committee
teachers so far want to teach instead of being gun carriers ( ok don't force them to arm)
they feel guns don't belong in schools (I agree bad guys shouldn't bring them, but they ignore that sign though)
teachers gtting overpowered by students

and ...

organization of
Professional Counselors
Decrease student to counselor ratio
Improve access to counselors so more are employed ... in helping ...

Carl Haggard President concealed arms for teachers, and Attorney, was Reservist Ft Bend County, was Frmr Assit dist atty harris county, lifetime nra member

Disagrees with local Option, because people get denied rights on public transportation in Harris County and legis had to fix;
Disagrees with Wayne LaPierre, as far as armed guards, proposes instead ...
S permit Student permit 21 or older
F permit Faculty- for Custodians admin etc\\

ran out of time

Howard Ray killen tx, represents Tx A&M students central tx
survivor ft hood, got award for saving 9 lives at Ft Hood
At Ft Hood he was prohibited from carrying
People need right to protect selves; should arm people.

Steve Wolf tactical firearms / CHL instructor
Federal expert witness firearms areas
free teacher chl classes plus offers added courses
60% classes now are teachers
expect teachers to act in loco parentis


Question what extra courses should teachers take and cost?
Reply: about $800 per student, varies by locale
biggest cost is ammunition ,,, if you can find it

lots to know after just a chl, chl is not a how to use a gun class nor a mentality preparedness/awareness tactical concepts etc etc etc test

last panel

head of 1 million moms for gun control- filled card and left-not present when called to testify

mike cargill central texas gun works- filled card and left- not present when called to testify

page williams - some teachers assn
position:
supports district discretion if no expectation that teachers must serve as armed security officers

Committee in recess subject to call of the chair (next Thursday I think).... (next school safety meeting on thurs)

>>>>> END

Amanda Shell ‏@amandabshell
Senator @DonnaCampbellTX at her first Senate Education Committee Hearing! #txlege #txsen https://twitter.com/amandabshell/status ... 01/photo/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm encouraged by this. I would also like to be able to carry in my daughter's school, but would be okay if it were just the teachers. Our school could authorize it, but it doesn't sound like that option is being considered by anyone else yet here in Texas.

RPB,

GREAT job keeping a running transcript of what was being said --- that is a very difficult thing to do, thanks for sharing it.

Thanks RPB. Always know we can count on you to keep us informed this time of year.

Probably shouldn't be surprised at the low level of knowledge concerning relevant existing laws among our "educator" class.

Understood job description of any classroom teacher includes serving as the last line of defense for children whose safety inside the classroom is THEIR responsibility.

No point in even considering requiring the unwilling teacher/administrator to obtain training/CHL in order to carry concealed handgun - but school floor-plan could situate WILLING ARMED school staff (not just teachers, and administrators) strategically to strengthen security near vunerable entry points (front administrative offices, classrooms, kitchen, gyms, etc)

Far too much "business as usual" bureacratic malingering still evident 45 days post- 12/14/2012 (Sandy Hook). It's time to get school children in TEXAS protected.

Work out the detailed policies later - allow school staff with CHL's to carry NOW.