Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) and the Center for Safe and Secure Schools (CSSS) came together with area emergency management professionals on July 23 for the Center’s Emergency Operations Board Meeting. School districts and partner facilities were honored as operations board partners, while CSSS recognized schools that were 2023-2024 safety audit participants. Additionally, CSSS leaders thanked the Research and Evaluation Institute division and Marketing and Client Engagement Coordinator Luis Sanchez for their continued support.

Among the school districts and entities honored were Alief and Galena Park ISDs, and Avance-Houston, a non-profit organization that offers Head Start and Adult Education programs in the Houston area.

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After a welcome from Dr. CJ Rodgers, HCDE assistant superintendent for Education and Enrichment, and CSSS Director Leslie Etheridge, meeting attendees gave updates on their respective school district or facility. Traci Latson, recently retired teacher and member of the Harris County Safe Schools Commission, served as the special guest speaker. The commission was created in 2022 with the goal of compiling recommendations on how Harris County can support area school districts, charter and private schools, alongside first responders to address school safety.