Texas Governor Greg Abbott in a press release stated that a new school safety system, called Sentinel, will be available to all Texas schools for free starting from July 24, 2024.
Texas Education Agency (TEA)’s Office of School Safety and Security created Sentinel to provide a comprehensive system that can improve school security, safety measures, and defenses against threats such as school shootings.
The governor stated that “as a new school year approaches, the safety of students, school faculty, and staff across Texas remains a top priority.”
He described the system as a “cutting-edge technology,” that can “expand the state’s threat assessments process, improve real-time communication capabilities, and better safeguard our children, teachers, and school communities.”
Since the Texas Education Code (TEC) §37.1083 requires all schools to turn in safety data and information to the TEA, school officials can use Sentinel to report directly.
Sentinel’s mass communications feature will also enable schools to be informed of any local or statewide emergency. The TEA can also provide guidance and resources to schools while allowing state leaders to access information and make decisions in a timely manner.
The TEA wrote that one of Sentinel’s components is its unique statewide programs, which include Intruder Detection Audits, Behavioral Threat Assessments, District Vulnerability Assessments, and Emergency Management.
Sentinel was created after the Governor signed into law House Bill 3, which “strengthened state monitoring of school safety and increased the school safety allotment.” The passage of Senate Bill 30 also funded $1.1 billion for schools to improve their security and safety measures.
A webinar on Sentinel for school district and campus staff will be hosted by the TEA’s Office of School Safety and Security on July 31, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CDT.
To participate, you must be a school’s superintendent and/or designated official, have a registered Zoom account, and register with your district or ESC email address.
For questions or further information, please contact the Office of School Safety and Security at SafeSchools@TEA.Texas.gov.
