TxSSC
Texas Education Code (TEC) 37.108 requires school districts to adopt multi-hazard emergency operations plans that address prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, reunification, and recovery. To support comprehensive emergency preparedness, districts should also establish safety and security agreements that ensure access to critical resources needed during emergencies and declared disasters.
High-demand incidents can quickly exceed a district’s available resources. Safety and security agreements support timely response and recovery by formalizing relationships with external partners, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and outlining processes for accessing personnel, equipment, and services such as law enforcement support, mental health services, and other specialized assistance.
Advance planning is essential. Identifying resource gaps and establishing agreements before an incident occurs allows districts to mobilize support more efficiently and to augment existing capabilities when needed. As integral community partners, districts may both receive and provide resources during emergencies while maintaining their ability to safely resume educational operations.
In accordance with TEC 37.2121, the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) identifies entities with whom districts should customarily pursue memoranda of understanding or mutual aid agreements related to school safety and security. Pre-event agreements can also help facilitate reimbursement for eligible services, equipment, and supplies following a declared disaster.