To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) Correspondence

School Safety Updates

About This TAA

Date:
September 24, 2026
Subject:
School Safety Updates
Category:
School Safety and Security
Division(s):
102- Office of School Safety and Security
Next Steps:
Share with school system and ESC safety personnel

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Overview

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is committed to supporting school systems in their efforts to improve the safety and security of school facilities for students, staff, and visitors. This To the Administrator Addressed shares updates regarding agency rulemaking, district vulnerability assessments, and school safety-related grant funding.

School Safety Rulemaking Updates

19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §103.1209, Mandatory School Drills

This section establishes minimum requirements for mandatory drills conducted by school systems under Texas Education Code (TEC), §37.114. Following the passage of Senate Bill 57, 89th Regular Legislative Session, this rulemaking was amended to ensure students and staff with disabilities have equal access to safety during required drills and emergency events. 

The rule became effective on July 26, 2026.

19 TAC, §103.1215, School Safety Requirements 

This section establishes minimum safety standards for instructional facilities owned, operated, or leased by school systems. Formerly codified as 19 TAC § 61.1031, the rule has been relocated to § 103.1215 as part of a reorganization intended to consolidate school safety requirements and improve the accessibility, consistency, and clarity of the administrative code.

19 TAC, §103.1215 incorporates directives in House Bill 33, 89th Regular Legislative Session, expanding existing requirements to include newly constructed, acquired, and substantially renovated facilities. Beginning August 1, 2026, school systems must certify in Sentinel that mandatory security reviews of newly constructed, acquired, and substantially renovated facilities are conducted. 

The rule became effective on September 1, 2026.

19 TAC, §103.1217, Safety During Extracurricular Activities

This section details requirements for ensuring the safety and security of students, staff, and spectators at extracurricular activities. Provisions include that:

  • School systems must develop a site-specific written security and medical plan for events hosting more than 250 attendees; 
  • School systems must provide at least one uniformed peace officer for every 1,000 attendees at events exceeding 1,000 attendees; and
  • School systems must ensure emergency equipment (e.g., AEDs) is available and maintained, designate an on-site incident commander, coordinate injury-response plans with first responders, and maintain communication methods for immediate emergency contact.

The Office of School Safety and Security has developed a Key Requirements Overview document to assist districts in meeting the requirements of this rule. Additional webinar opportunities, guidance, templates, and tools to support plan development are available in Sentinel. 

The rule became effective on September 23, 2026.

19 TAC, §103.1219, Assignment of a Conservator for Noncompliance with School Safety Requirements

As required in TEC, §37.1085, this section authorizes the Commissioner of Education to assign a conservator when a school system fails to:

  • Submit to required safety monitoring, assessments, or audits;
  • Comply with applicable school safety requirements; or
  • Address issues identified through TEA monitoring, assessments, or audits within one year.

The rule became effective on September 1, 2026.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of School Safety and Security at SafeSchools@tea.texas.gov.