Tioga ISD got the ball rolling on expanded security for students and staff during the school board’s meeting on Monday by authorizing the formation of the TISD Police Department.
President Dallas Slay spearheaded the conversation, backed by Superintendent Josh Ballinger, explaining that little will change functionally for the district, though, following approval from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, establishing a department will give the district access to more security resources.
“In the 21st century world that we live in, I feel like forming our own police department and giving ourselves direct access to other local law enforcement organizations in our area [is important],” Slay said. “Having this would give us direct access if we have something going on.”
Having a district PD would also open access to additional grant opportunities which could fund other officers or equipment.
“My intent would be to give Josh and Kurt the directive to get this ball rolling,” Slay said. “Personnel and salary wise everything would stay the same. … From an access standpoint, it gives us so many more options for help.”
Earlier in the meeting, Slay and Middle School Principal Pamela Moore discussed attendance and what the district can do to drive that number up.
“I don’t know how we get parents to understand our financial success is based on whether you bring your kid to school,” Slay said. “I had no idea as a younger parent, and you don’t want finances to be the driver, but at the same time, we all suffer when you don’t bring your kid to school.”
Across the district, ADA sits around 95%, which is just shy of the 97% marker that warrants additional funding from the state.
With budget season coming up, Ballinger visited district finances alongside TEA representative Dr. Karen Wiesman as they relate to the current legislative session.
“Because it is a legislative year, what some of the districts are doing is basically adopting something similar to the current year and waiting to see how things fall out and doing a budget amendment in July or August when things are settled,” Wiesman said. “That will be up to y’all.”
Ballinger and the board were in agreement with Wiesman.
