Seven Texas Panhandle school districts are not compliant with school safety measures, according to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Across the state, Abbott said 78 school districts are not compliant. Here are the seven throughout the Texas Panhandle:
- Bushland ISD
- Claude ISD
- Darrouzett ISD
- River Road ISD
- Samnorwood ISD (School district no longer exists.)
- Shamrock ISD
- Wildorado ISD
For the full list of schools, click here.
Abbott urged schools to examine and review their safety plans after Friday's school shooting in Newtown, Conn. According to the Texas School Safety Center, all 1,025 public school districts in the state are required by law to submit their safety audits. Of those 1,025 school districts, 38 did not submit their reports and 40 reported but did not meet full compliance.
"Proper preparedness and safety in our schools is not just an exercise, it will save lives when seconds count," said Attorney General Abbott board member of the Texas School Safety Center. "As we all mourn the horrific loss of innocent lives in Newtown, we must ensure that not another minute passes where Texas school districts are unprepared for an incident in our own state. My office will continue working with the Texas School Safety Center to ensure that every school district across this state has an effective school safety plan in place."
A safety audit must be conducted once every three years at every Texas Public School, according to the Texas Education Code. Abbott said these audits, along with emergency practices ensure the school and local law enforcement are prepared to act in the case of an emergency.
"Having a plan is important, but executing that plan under stress - when seconds count - is critical to saving lives. Texas schoolchildren must be safe and secure," Abbott said. "The difference between life and death frequently hinges upon how educators and law enforcement respond in the seconds before and after a violent incident. Campus security audits provide crucial information about the proper response during disaster situations."
Pronews 7 contacted all the school districts who were listed as 'not compliant.'
Darrouzette ISD Superintendent Dwight Rice said since he has only been in that position since July 2012, he was unsure of the last time the paperwork was submitted.
Samnorwood ISD is no longer a school district.
Bushland ISD Superintendent Don Wood admitted the safety audits were not up-to-date. He said he and his staff are working on improving safety measures. Since last week, he said the district has changed the lock system so there are no wandering keys. Wood said the next safety audit will happen after the new year.
