Belton ISD board approves good-cause exception, will continue contracted armed security for 2025–26

The Belton Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6'0to'0 on July 21 to adopt a good-cause exception that allows the district to continue using contracted armed security rather than placing a commissioned peace officer on every campus as contemplated by prior legislation. Doug (Doctor) Spearman presented the recommendation on behalf of district leadership. He reminded the board that past legislation offered multiple compliance paths (district peace officer, SRO, or commissioned peace officer) and that the district chose an alternative standard in prior years, contracting with VetSecure to meet the statutory requirements. Spearman reported the district currently deploys 10 school resource officers at secondary campuses, one rover, and 19 contracted security officers (one at each elementary plus middle school coverage and a rover), for a total of 29 armed staff across campuses. Trustees and administrators said they favored the contracted approach because local police departments lack the personnel to staff SROs at every campus, and because they were unwilling to arm classroom teachers. Trustees recounted positive feedback from students, parents and staff about the contracted officers' visibility and routine duties, including door checks and daily presence during high-traffic times. The board approved continuation of the good-cause exception for the 2025'26 school year and directed staff to return annually for reconsideration, as required by statute.