McAllen ISD is planning on applying for a grant that would provide the district’s police force with bullet-resistant shields.
A $50 million grant program that was championed by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the shield program is one of the first statewide security funding opportunities to trickle down to local schools in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde this May.
Local educational leaders have eagerly eyed the possibility of increased funding for security and mental health this summer while dealing with generally tough budget talks and exceptional interest in school safety.
Laura Williams, director for special funding at McAllen ISD, told the district’s board Monday that the program could bring 62 bullet-resistant shields to district cops.
She said law enforcement in the state “desperately need” those shields.
“Especially in the wake of some tragedy a few months back,” she said.
McAllen ISD has not been shy about talking about its security measures, which it says are robust.
The district has been less talkative about areas security could be improved, saying the release of that information could be used nefariously by individuals who mean to harm students and personnel.
Immediately following the shooting in Uvalde, law enforcement arrested at least a dozen individuals in the Rio Grande Valley for threats to local schools, with police describing that trend as a copycat effect.
There have been at least three threats to local schools since the fall semester began, in La Grulla, La Joya and Mission.
