New safety initiatives for the 2018-2019 school year

As we end this school year, we want to share with you decisions that have been made regarding safety initiatives for the 2018-2019 school year. They will affect every student, parent and family across the District.

In an ongoing effort to improve safety measures currently in place, North East ISD will require that students use only clear backpacks at every high school and middle school in the District beginning in the fall. Elementary school students will be allowed to continue using traditional backpacks. Band and athletic bags will still be permitted, as well as purses and lunch bags.

We understand that this may be an added expense that some parents may not be able to manage. If this is the case, contact your principal, and a clear backpack can be provided to you by the school.

Additionally, beginning next school year, all exterior doors will be locked at every campus during school hours. A ‘buzz in’ system will be established, so please be prepared for this as it may cause slight delays for school visitors.

It’s important that our staff is trained and prepared for a variety of situations. Campuses have access to hand held metal detectors to use at their discretion, and guidelines for random searches are currently being established. All administrators will receive active shooter training this summer, and each of our counselors will receive annual mental health training to better support our students’ needs. 

The District is also in the process of hiring additional police officers to help increase patrols at our elementary schools. As you know, we have armed police officers permanently assigned at each of our middle and high schools. 

Unfortunately, we are living in a time when the problem of school violence doesn’t seem to be going away. We have to take action and in some cases make difficult decisions that are for the better good of our community. 

NEISD is committed to the safety of our students, staff and volunteers. We will do whatever is in our power to secure our campuses so that you don’t have to worry about your children when they are in school. We hope we can count on your support in these endeavors.