Manor ISD to install weapons screening, fencing and other safety upgrades at New Tech High; third‑party audit scheduled

Manor Independent School District leaders told the board on Jan. 28 they are moving quickly to implement safety upgrades after ongoing monitoring by the Texas Education Agency and a district safety review.

Superintendent Dr. Sarmani said trustees will authorize him to negotiate contracts and expend funds for weapons-detection systems and for fencing around New Tech High School so the district can accelerate implementation. He said the district has received three bids and is performing reference checks before finalizing contracts.

"We are looking at our weapon detection systems, different types of systems, and we are looking for the most effective one that we can find. We want a weapons detection that's not only effective, but also that allows a welcoming feeling for our students and our community as well," Dr. Sarmani told the board.

Short-term operational changes at New Tech High are planned to begin Feb. 3 to funnel entrants through more closely supervised entry points. The superintendent said those changes will be combined with the new weapons-detection equipment and fencing once contracts are executed.

The district has contracted the Center for Safe Schools, approved by the Texas School Safety Center, to perform a third-party audit of Manor ISD's safety posture; the contractor is scheduled to be on site. Dr. Sarmani said some findings will be shared publicly but that the board will withhold operational details that could be exploited by bad actors.

Chief Yarbrough reported on a TEA intruder assessment at Manor High School that identified a door left unsecured. He said the district completed required retraining of staff under Texas Education Code §37.108 and will present corrective actions to the district safety and security committee. "We took corrective action and the measure that we needed to take," Dr. Sarmani said, adding that principals were briefed and staff retraining was districtwide.

Trustees approved the consent agenda, which included authorization for the superintendent to begin contract negotiations and related expenditures; the consent agenda passed 6-0.