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Goose Creek CISD updates board on safety work, police staffing and transportation retirements
Summary
District safety leaders reported exercises with Chambers County emergency partners, hiring five new officers and the retirement of the transportation director; administrators said staffing remains a priority and two candidates may join in January.
Goose Creek CISD’s Safe and Secure Schools and police leadership briefed the board Tuesday on recent emergency-management exercises, staffing updates and local partnerships.
Director-level staff and law enforcement leaders told trustees the district participated in a multi-agency exercise with Chambers County that simulated a gas leak; the exercise brought together four Chambers County school districts and county emergency partners to strengthen communications and mutual aid planning. The district’s safe-and-secure team also supported a recent family wellness event that served more than 1,200 visitors, providing on-site radios and logistics.
Chief Stewart Russell reported the district police department has hired five new officers since the summer, and he said one of the new officers is a 2014 Goose Creek graduate who previously worked with Harris County and the city of Baytown. Russell said the department is still recruiting to fill vacancies and hopes two additional prospects may start in January. Assistant Chief Patrick Arnett joined the department the week before the board meeting, Russell said.
Separately, Transportation Director Walter (surname reported in meeting as Raltershire/Walter Shide) announced his retirement at the meeting, saying he and his wife would both retire this year. In his remarks he described improvements to fleet reliability and routing since he took the job, including GPS on every bus and air conditioning upgrades.
Administrators and safety staff told the board they continue to prioritize hiring and training for police and security positions, called out the heavy workload of current staff while vacancies remain, and emphasized the importance of recruiting staff who are a strong fit for work with children.
Why it matters
District safety and staffing affect daily operations and the ability to respond to emergencies. Recruiting and retaining school police and security staff is a common challenge for many districts; board members asked for timelines and continued updates on hiring efforts.
What’s next
Administration said they will continue recruitment outreach and return to the board with updates on staffing and any recommended policy or budget adjustments to support the police and security teams.
