District reports progress on safety window film rollout; trustees caution it is not bulletproof
Summary
Edinburg CISD staff said a contractor began installing shatter‑resistant film across campuses on Nov. 8, with roughly 30 schools completed and a target finish by Dec. 31; trustees emphasized the film is an added deterrent and does not make windows bulletproof.
Julie Perez, director of maintenance and operations, briefed the board on a district safety window film project intended to increase shatter resistance at school windows. Perez said contractor LeWolf Window Tint and Film Solutions of Magnolia, Texas, began work Nov. 8, deployed two crews, has completed roughly 30 campuses and expects to finish the full installation by Dec. 31 with touch‑ups to follow. The project is funded by a safety grant, Perez said.
Perez described operational safeguards: maintenance staff will accompany contractors on site so district staff retain keys and campus principals will review completed work and sign off on a punch list. The contractor’s schedule is seven days a week to expedite completion; the district added liquidated‑damages language in the contract to assess $500 per day for missed deadlines.
Trustees welcomed the speed of work and asked to be kept apprised. Several trustees noted that film increases window shatter resistance but expressed concern that it is not a complete safety solution; one trustee warned that bullets can still penetrate film and said schools must maintain vigilance. Staff said principals have been given care instructions and the district will perform final inspections before accepting work.
No board action was required for the update; trustees requested a formal punch‑list inspection and principal sign‑off before final acceptance.
