Seguin ISD board votes 6–1 to pursue creation of district police department

The Seguin Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6–1 to approve a resolution to establish a district police department and begin the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) certification process.

Dr. Ruben Carrillo, who led the presentation, told trustees the proposal would create a department staffed with 16 personnel — a chief, a detective, an administrative assistant and 13 campus officers — and sought a Year 1 operating budget near $1.58 million and a one-time start‑up investment of about $1.2 million funded from residual 2022 bond dollars. "Our plan is to outfit the department with 13 officers, a chief of police, a detective and an administrative assistant," he said, adding that the model aims for consistent coverage and school‑specific training.

Supporters on the board said an internal department would provide faster on-campus response, predictable long‑term costs and officers trained in youth crisis management. Trustee Joshua Bright, who moved the motion, said the district lacked investigative capacity and sometimes saw response delays under the current mix of contracted SROs and private security.

Opponents and some trustees warned about budgetary risks and staffing challenges. Trustee Lisa Duncan, who voted in favor, pressed for careful budgeting; another trustee who opposed the resolution noted the district's current academic rating and budget deficit and questioned whether start‑up and ongoing costs would divert funds from instruction.

Administrators outlined procurement and training plans if the board approved the resolution: purchase of six fully equipped patrol vehicles, body‑worn and in‑car camera systems, evidence storage and facility renovations (the presentation listed vehicle/transportation at roughly $340,000, technology/communications at about $207,000, and a facility/infrastructure component estimated near $550,000). Dr. Carrillo said the proposed jurisdiction would be campus grounds and adjacent campus property and that interlocal agreements with Seguin PD, county sheriff and dispatch would be completed before deployment.

The board's vote authorizes staff to proceed with the TCOLE application and follow-up policy development; it does not mean officers will be on campuses immediately. Trustees and administration said subsequent board approvals will be required for detailed budgets, contracts and personnel hires. The administration projected a phased hiring and certification timetable aimed at partial deployment for the 2026–27 school year pending recruitment and TCOLE requirements.

The board did not finalize budgets or hires at the meeting; next steps include submitting the TCOLE application, returning to the board with detailed budget proposals and policies, and negotiating interagency agreements.