Effective from the first day of the 2023 school year, Texas House Bill 3 has implemented a critical safety measure requiring an armed person on every public school campus during normal operating hours. This measure aims to enhance security and protect students and staff in the wake of last year's tragic Uvalde massacre. Under the law, the armed person can be a peace officer, a school resource officer, a school marshal, or a school district employee, and each school campus will receive $15,000 annually to support the implementation of this measure.
The new requirement has led to significant collaboration between local authorities and school districts in Hunt County. With 17 Independent School Districts operating in the county, the approach to compliance varies depending on the district. Some have their own in-house ISD Police Departments, others contract law enforcement agencies, and some have armed district employees.
In response to the state law, the Hunt County Sheriff's Office has taken a crucial step to partner with Campbell ISD and Boles ISD. As of this academic year, both Campbell ISD and Boles ISD will benefit from the presence of full-time Hunt County Deputies on their respective campuses.
Sgt. Shannon Morel, badge number 409, will be joining Boles ISD as their dedicated officer to ensure the safety of students and staff. Meanwhile, Deputy Donna Roten, badge number 449, will be committed to protecting the students of Campbell ISD.
Sheriff Terry Jones expressed immense pride in announcing the partnership with these school districts, acknowledging that Campbell ISD and Boles ISD faced financial challenges to establish their own standalone police departments. By joining forces with the Hunt County Sheriff's Office, they hope to create a secure environment for the children's education and growth.
