Lancaster ISD proposes good‑cause exception under TEC 37.0814 and plans to contract LNP Global for three armed security officers

Lancaster ISD’s chief of police, Chief Worley, told trustees Aug. 13 the district plans to claim a ‘good cause’ exception to Texas Education Code §37.0814 because funding and the availability of qualified commissioned peace officers do not permit assigning a commissioned officer to every campus.

Chief Worley explained the statute requires, absent an exception, at least one commissioned peace officer during school hours at each campus; the law defines an “armed security officer” as a district peace officer, a school resource officer, or a commissioned peace officer employed as security personnel. The good‑cause exception may be claimed for lack of funding or qualified personnel, but the board must adopt an alternative standard if it claims that exception.

The alternative standard recommended by staff would assign Lancaster ISD police officers to every secondary campus and to four of six elementary campuses, while contracting for three licensed, level‑3 armed security officers to cover the remaining two elementary campuses and the district’s disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP). Chief Worley estimated that hiring three additional commissioned police officers to avoid the exception would cost roughly $430,000 upfront this year and about $250,000 annually thereafter; the district’s total safety allotment from the state is approximately $425,000 and covers only about 25% of the district’s safety budget, Worley said.

Staff also presented a contract proposal to contract with LNP Global Security for the 2025–26 school year to provide three armed security officers at an amount not to exceed $130,000. Worley said LNP was the lowest responsive bidder among three quotes (quotes ranged from about $127,000 to $228,000). He said the contracted security officers would not have law‑enforcement authority and would intervene only to stop an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death; criminal matters would continue to be handled by law enforcement.

Why it matters: The district must either staff campuses with commissioned peace officers to meet the statute’s base requirement or claim a good‑cause exception and document an alternative standard. Board approval is required to adopt that alternative standard and to authorize the contract for licensed armed security.

Ending: Staff said the alternative standard and the proposed LNP Global Security contract would appear on the August action agenda for board approval (and the contract cap was presented as not to exceed $130,000). If approved, the district will continue to reassess safety staffing and costs as funding and personnel availability evolve.