Wylie ISD does not take the safety of its students and staff lightly. As a matter of fact, our district has been called upon by state and federal governments when it comes to implementing security measures thanks to the passion Craig Bessent, the Assistant Superintendent of School Operations, has for keeping students and staff safe every day.
“School safety is broad, and you can’t fix it in one day or one year. We are always proactive,” said Bessent. “At the same time, we try to maintain a happy medium so students and families can have a great school experience.” Below is a list of how Wylie is continuing to rise to the always evolving challenge of keeping our students and staff safe when on school grounds and activities.
TRAINING, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS:
1. Students are better educated on campus safety protocol
2. In addition to our guidance counselors, there is an increased focus on mental health and those services by adding more licensed specialists in school psychology at our schools
3. Staff is better trained in safety, security, mental health, and basic lifesaving skills and CPR
4. Character building programs are provided regularly such as Character Counts, AOK, or Bulldog Bridge at campuses for younger students and junior high students
5. Mentoring opportunities, one-on-one, with Mentors Care program at the high school, PALS at the junior high schools, and Community-In-Schools (CIS) at both junior highs and high school
6. School Marshall program; implemented in 2014
SECURITY MEASURES INCLUDE:
1. Installed state-required, 6-foot chain-link fences with anti-scaling devices on all campuses to decrease point of entries and decrease exterior door use during school hours
2. Exterior card readers were installed when constructing all East campus schools and West campuses are in the process of having them installed
3. Card readers are being installed on both interior and exterior doors, allowing first-responders easier, more efficient access
4. Staff limited to one point of entry into school building during school hours
5. Increased surveillance cameras
6. Acting as a testing site during off-school hours for the Angel Protect System – a computer program that uses existing surveillance cameras to identify certain threats.
COMMITTEES AND ROLES MR. BESSENT HAS BEEN OR IS INVOLVED IN FOR SAFETY OF OUR SCHOOLS:
• Board Chair of “Texas School Safety Center”- appointed by Governor Abbott.
• National and state school safety keynote speaker
• Texas School Safety Person of the Year 2019
COMMITTEES:
• Governor Abbott’s School Safety and Security Roundtable
• Senate Gun and School Safety Committee
• Texas Education Agency
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
• Texas “Angel Protection” system development
• Texas School Marshal Program development
• National School Marshal Program
• Texas school “Stop the Bleed” Initiative
• State legislature advisor on school safety
BOARDS:
• Board member Abilene Crimestoppers
• Board member View Caps Water District
• Board member Taylor County Livestock Association
• Big Country VOAD member and past chairman
• 211 Board Member