NEISD expands armed campus safety specialist program, stresses training and limits

NEISD trustees heard a progress report on the district's armed campus safety specialist program and the district's use of a statutory "good cause" exemption from House Bill 3 requirements.

The district's senior director for safety and security, Paul Duran, told the board the program recruits experienced candidates (many military veterans or former law enforcement) and requires more screening and training than the state's minimum Guardian Program. "We targeted our job description, and recruitment only to applicants that have extensive, experience in security operations, emergency management, military, or probably in law of law enforcement," Duran said. He said the hiring process includes panel interviews, background checks, fingerprinting, medical and psychological exams, and continuous…