Security/Emergency Management

Overview

GCISD is committed to providing a safe learning environment for your children, even in unpredictable circumstances. The district implements security protocols at every school and facility and we conduct regular safety and security drills to best prepare our students and staff members for potential emergencies. From weather concerns to potential school security situations, we have a plan in place to keep your children safe.

What We Do

GCISD follows a standard response protocol for emergency situations, developed for our district and based on nationally-recognized practices. We also partner with local emergency groups and first responders as we continually work to provide safe educational environments for students, staff and visitors to our facilities.

The district has implemented a GCISD Emergency Response Protocol (Spanish) for students and staff across the district.

GCISD has also implemented a sixth protocol: Clear the Classroom. Clear the Classroom is called when students need to be moved from their classroom to another location in the school. Students are escorted to a temporary location and continue class activities. 

Information posters about this protocol are posted around campus and district facilities, and our students and staff continually practice drills for each emergency scenario in order to be best prepared in these situations.

A reminder for parents: When emergency protocols are activated, parents should not come to the school. Doors may be locked and staff will be focused on the safety and accountability of all students. GCISD will provide parents with instructions on when and where to pick up students. Review our Student-Parent Reunification Handout (Spanish) handout for more details.

Daily Safety Measures

Currently, GCISD implements several safety and security measures within our district and schools. These include:

  • Emergency management teams, which include city officials and emergency responders

  • Emergency plans that reflect multiple scenarios and are reviewed annually

  • Ongoing coordination with city officials and emergency responders

  • Regular safety and security drills

  • Cameras

  • Request to enter door systems

  • Managed ID badge access to schools for employees

  • Visitor identification and screening procedures, which include a requirement for visitor ID badges to be worn at all times while in our buildings

  • Regular training in security procedures and best practices for all staff and students

Partnership: "I Love U Guys" Foundation

The "I Love U Guys" Foundation was created as a result of the 2006 attack on Canyon High School where Emily Keyes, one student hostage turned tragic victim, sent a text to her parents with a message stating "I Love U Guys." The Foundation, in Emily's spirit, works to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions in collaboration with families, schools, communities, organizations and government entities. 

GCISD has partnered with the "I Love U Guys" Foundation, implementing its resources and guidance to our district's emergency procedures and protocols. For more information about the foundation, visit their website at iloveuguys.org.

Emergency Management Staff

Allen Smith

Director of Emergency Management and School Security
817-251-5308
allen.smith@gcisd.net

Ruben Aldaz

Security Systems Engineer
817-251-5785
ruben.aldaz@gcisd.net

Gabriel Avila

Security Systems Technician
817-251-5926
gabriel.avila@gcisd.net

Megan Valerio

Administrative Assistant
817-251-5308
megan.valerio@gcisd.net

Emergency Management Teams

GCISD employs three types of teams to oversee and manage emergency events as well as plan the District's emergency response and preparations for events

Emergency Resources

Unauthorized Persons

In accordance with Education Code 37.105, the District has the right to refuse entry to or eject a person from property under the District's control if the person refuses to leave peaceably upon request and:

  1. The individual poses a substantial risk of harm to any person; or

  2.  The individual continues to behave in a manner inappropriate for the school setting after having received a verbal or written warning to cease the inappropriate behavior.

A person ejected from or refused entry to District property under this provision may appeal this action by filing an appeal under FNG (LOCAL) or GF (LOCAL) and shall be permitted to address the Board in person within 90 days of commencement of the appeal if the grievance is not resolved at a previous level.