El Paso school districts work to implement silent panic alert buttons
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — At least two of the big three school districts in El Paso have applied for state funding to purchase a silent panic alert system.
Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday signed "Alyssa's Law," which requires public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to put silent panic alert buttons in each classroom.
The El Paso Independent School District said it received grant funding from Texas Education Agency to get the silent panic alert system.
"El Paso ISD continues to move forward with plans to install silent panic alert technology in all campuses using funds from a $150,468 Texas Education Agency grant approved by the Board of Trustees in April. These efforts will help us adhere to Alyssa's Law and align with the district's commitment to the safety and security of all students and staff," a statement from EPISD read.
The Socorro Independent School District also said they received a grant, but they didn't specify where it came from.
"The Socorro Independent School District received a Silent Panic Alert Technology grant earlier this year, which is being used to integrate the panic button technology into an upgraded phone system. The system is currently being rolled out at schools across the district and new phones in classrooms are projected to be installed by early August," a statement from SISD read.state rep from Houston says 95% of districts have already applied for the money.
When asked about the silent panic alert system, the Ysleta Independent School District said they do not comment on security procedures.
In an active shooter situation, a teacher would push a silent panic alert button that activates lights and alarms and sends the location of the shooter to campus officials and first responders.
School districts will have until the 2025 school year to implement the panic alert systems.
State Rep. Shawn Thierry, D-Houston, said over 95% of school districts in Texas have already applied for the school safety allotment funding, according to KEYE in Austin.
Texas is one of five states that has passed "Alyssa's Law," which is named after 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff who was killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14, 2018.
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