Joint Letter on Campus Security

in Round Rock ISD
April 19, 2018

 

The Round Rock Independent School District, Williamson County Sheriff?s Of?ce, and Round
Rock Police Department are committed to keeping our students safe and campuses secure.

While Round Rock goal is to provide a world-class education and prepare students for a
successful future, it is imperative to keep children free from harm while in the District?s care.
Without feeling safe, our children cannot thrive.

For many years, the District has partnered with the Round Rock Police Department and
Williamson County Sheriff?s Of?ce to provide School Resource Of?cers to protect students and
staff on the District?s 55 campuses. This partnership has been an outstanding arrangement
?School Resource Of?cers not only safeguard our campuses, they educate and mentor students,
and create positive interactions with law enforcement during a child?s formative years.

Williamson County Sheriff?s Of?ce and Round Rock Police Department leadership agree that
Round Rock ISD needs assurance moving forward that resources will be available to provide the
level of coverage our children deserve. This includes full-time of?cers at each secondary school, as
well as of?cers who can provide ongoing security oversight at elementary campuses.

The nature of existing arrangements, however, creates gaps in coverage. For example, Pearson
Ranch Middle School is currently staffed by an of?cer from Austin Community College and the
full-time position at Grisham Middle School is now vacant, though the Williamson County Sheriff?s
Of?ce is seeking candidates to ?ll it.

This patchwork approach is a concern. Leaders of the Round Rock Police Department, the
Williamson County Sheriff?s Of?ce, and the School District agree the most prudent step is for
Round Rock ISD to form its own police department, as most large school districts (and many small
districts) in Texas have done. This approach will allow the District direct oversight over
recruitment and staf?ng with a prime focus on school safety. It should be noted the District
already pays salary costs during the school year for the police of?cers and sheriff's deputies who

Media Contact for Round Rock ISD
Jenny LaCoste-Caputo
512-574-5777
jenny_caputo@roundrockisd.org

Media Contact for City of Round Rock:
Will Hampton
512-218-5409
whampton@roundrocktexas.gov

Media Contact for Williamson County
Sheriff's Office
Patricia Gutierrez
512-943-1301
patricia.gutierrez@wilco.org