Tioga ISD’s safety and security team has seen a big shift.
James Edland, who was previously chief of police for such departments as the Pilot Point Police Department, the Northeast Police Department and the Krugerville Police Department, has been named the new director of safety and security to replace Kurt Hall, who is leaving for a growing municipality in the region.
“We had some really good candidates; this is not being handed to him,” Superintendent Josh Ballinger said. “His experience, not only in our community, but surrounding communities and 32 years in this type of work where he’s spent the majority of it in small departments but also has a lot of good experience out in the county as well, where all that coordination has to happen on all emergency levels, it seemed to make great sense and worked out great for Kurt to help make this decision.”
Edland said he was excited for the opportunity to lead the TISD safety and security department.
“I appreciate the opportunity to come out here and see what we can do in moving forward,” he said.
Ballinger credited Hall with setting up Tioga ISD’s compliance with safety regulations and preparing the district to have its own police department, which is still a work in progress.
“We would have been lost in all of this, and I wish I could put into words the volume of work that has been required of school districts and us with … limited staff availability,” Ballinger said. “So, the blessing of having Kurt here for the last few years … has certainly been that. His knowledge is pretty remarkable.”
Hall expressed his appreciation for the board.
“I’m not going far; I’m always willing to help,” he said. “It’s been an honor and a privilege. It’s an excellent organization with incredible people, and I’ll miss you.”
The district faced an obstacle with the form it submitted to the Grayson County Commissioners Court to progress in the process, and it still needs the licensing from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to form the department.
“We technically can’t hire a police chief when we don’t have a police department,” Ballinger said. “… The action we’re taking tonight is the director of safety and security, … knowing that will eventually transform into the police chief.”
Ballinger also spoke about a memorandum of understanding with other Grayson County districts, initiated by Sherman, committing to help with reunification of students with family members in the face of an emergency, whether that’s a natural disaster or another school crisis.
“If something happens in Bells, Texas, we, through this MOU, have committed to send four people to help them,” he said.
For Ballinger, the agreement was “a no-brainer,” he said.
“I very much appreciate Sherman ISD for leading that discussion and including us,” Ballinger said. “… I’ve already signed that, signed it that day.”
Ballinger also touched on the district's enrollment with an ADA of about 578, which is still lower than the ADA of 645 the state is using for its funding formula.
'That's supposed to get adjusted,' he said.
Trustee Billy Smith asked how that discrepancy could affect the district's debt load to the state, which has contributed to the financial struggles TISD has battled for more than five years.
Ballinger said the administration and TEA Conservator Dr. Karen Wiesman are watching the figures carefully to adjust the budget to match the accurate level of state funding.
The trustees also approved TASB Policy Manual Update 126, which includes the Senate Bill 8 regulations, which TISD will handle by posting its precautions related to staff members in locker rooms and other changing areas.
