Manor ISD to pilot ACC EMT program, tests weapons-detection system and expands counseling services

Manor Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Sarmani told the board March 25 that the district will pilot a new Austin Community College EMT program, is testing a top-ranked weapons-detection system for secondary campuses and has begun additional counseling services at high school campuses.

Dr. Sarmani said Manor ISD was selected by ACC to pilot the college’s new EMT program and that several district students already hold EMT basic certifications. "We are real excited that our partner has chosen us and our kids and that we are gonna be produced, some emergency medical technicians," he said, adding that EMT certification is a pathway that can lead to a fire academy.

The superintendent said the district evaluated eight weapons-detection systems and identified a clear first choice. "We are practicing with that system this week to make sure it does exactly what we want it to do," he said, and described an implementation plan that begins with signing a contract, deploying at the high school, then assessing middle-school needs. He said Manor ISD is considering a different approach for elementary campuses because their needs differ from secondary schools.

On student mental-health services, Dr. Sarmani said two recommendations are fully implemented: intensive counseling at MAP and a student-requested drop-in counseling service staffed at the senior high school and early college high school campuses. He described the drop-in model as a change requested by students and now in place.

Dr. Sarmani also reported that the district hosted the FIRST Robotics Centex meet over spring break and that Manor’s two high-school robotics teams participated and supported each other during the competition.

The district has engaged the Center for Safe Schools for two audits. Dr. Sarmani said the behavioral and climate assessment report is complete and expected this week; the physical safety audit has been delayed because the original author left the contractor and a new reviewer will complete the report and conduct a follow-up site visit. He cautioned trustees that portions of those reports may not be made public because they contain details about security vulnerabilities. "You may see new recommendations that appear on the slides and in the District Improvement Plan based on that," he said, "although I'll couch those in words; it doesn't give away what exactly we need to upgrade."

Discussion points: district staff are practicing the chosen weapons-detection system, plan to sign a contract before deployment, and expect a follow-up physical-safety site visit by the Center for Safe Schools. No formal board action on procurement or contracts was recorded at the March 25 meeting.