ATPE Executive Director Shannon Holmes offers this statement following Gov. Greg Abbott’s June 9 directive to the Texas Education Agency: 

“The creation of a chief of school safety and security position within the Texas Education Agency has the potential to bring together the coordination necessary to effectively implement school safety policies. The tragedy in Uvalde only underscores the need for clear communication and coordination in response to breaches of school security. 

“But the ultimate success of this position lies in what policies lawmakers direct it to implement. That’s in the Legislature’s hands—and are lawmakers willing to put politics aside to keep children safe? The real answers likely draw from all sides of one of the most passionately debated issues in our country. And if the policies cost money, as increased security and access to mental health services surely do, will the Legislature put forth the necessary funding? These are the questions Texas educators are asking.”

About the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)
Founded in 1980, ATPE is the leading educators’ association in Texas with approximately 90,000 members statewide. With its strong collaborative philosophy, ATPE speaks for classroom teachers, administrators, and future, retired, and para-educators and works to create better opportunities for Texas’ five million public school students. | atpe.org