BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE DEPT., BRINGING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN-HOUSE

  

Brenham ISD’s police force and school transportation could see major changes.

On Monday, the Brenham School Board will consider adopting a resolution authorizing the establishment of a school district police department.  It will also potentially approve developing in-house transportation services and seeking lease/purchase agreements for school buses.

Brenham ISD has utilized an interlocal agreement with the City of Brenham to provide protection at campuses via School Resource Officers and off-duty officers.  Superintendent Dr. Tylor Chaplin said the district wants to ensure all of its campuses are covered with an armed officer, and with local law enforcement agencies impacted by short staffing, he feels the best way to do that is to hire its own certified, licensed officers.

Dr. Chaplin said the resolution would begin the process of establishing a school district police department through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, with a goal of having it in place by the start of the next school year. 

According to Dr. Chaplin, the district’s transportation contract with Durham School Services ends in July.  He is recommending that the district start its own transportation department, saying it will be more cost-effective, improve an aging bus fleet, and make transportation employees part of Brenham ISD.

The school board took similar action last year with its custodial services, voting in February 2022 to transition employees of ABM Texas General Services, Inc. into the school district.

An executive session will be held at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel matters.

The board will meet Monday at noon in the Brenham ISD Administration Office.  The meeting will be livestreamed on Brenham ISD’s YouTube channel.