Patterson: Uvalde CISD teachers who have stuck with the district through the past year school year and continued to teach this school year have a lot of grit and determination
by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian; Photo credit: Robinson
Rotary Club of Uvalde President Debra McDonald stands with Superintendent Gary Patterson following the club’s weekly meeting where Patterson spoke last week.
Uvalde CISD Superintendent Gary Patterson spoke at last week’s Rotary Club of Uvalde weekly noon meeting, Thursday, August 31st at the Uvalde Country Club and provided an update on school security, online threats, the new school facility and other topics related to the district. Near the end of his informal presentation to attending Rotarians, he praised returning Uvalde CISD teachers who have stuck with the district through the past year school year and continued to teach this school year as having a lot of grit and determination. He also praised the district’s police officers.
During his opening remarks he stated he is hopeful that the district’s school safety and projects will be almost complete by the first part of next year.
“From fencing, to cameras, to a new police force, to the DPS officers that are assisting us, to enhanced fiber networks and a security operations center, we have done a lot in that area.” Patterson said He continued by saying that the district has spent about $7 million dollars. He explained nearly 99% of that money has been from special appropriations, grants and gifts citing the $1 million dollars from the Los Vegas Raiders as one of the very first gifts.
He went on to say the Commissioner’s office has approved his request for $3 1/2 million dollars to finish the projects that we have started.
Patterson said there is still additional fencing and gates that still need to be installed at Batesville, Dalton and Flores Elementary.
A new security project that is a priority for the district is constructing secure vestibules at all campuses which will cost approximately $2 million dollars. He said that in this day and age, new levels of security are needed.
Other topics Patterson has touched upon included:
- Five to six armed officers at every campus
- All exterior doors on the district’s buildings will be outfitted with a sensor.
Patterson said, If for some reason if that door does not come back in a locked position, the sensor will send a message to the principal’s office and the security operations center. “When the sensors are in place that will be a valuable asset to us,” he said.
- Social media monitoring systems
As far as online security threats, Patterson said the District is dealing with two or more a week. He explained that the online threats which are posted online can come from anywhere in the world and all are taken seriously. Also he said the district works with the FBI on these threats to determine if they are credible.
The New School Facility
Patteron said the district is zeroing in on a groundbreaking date. We are looking at sometime in mid-October for a groundbreaking date. Security and technology for the school will be cutting-edge.
He explained the taxpayers in Uvalde will not be out one cent for this 50- 60 million dollar structure that will be funded solely by donations from the State of Texas, the HEB Foundation and many other donations large and small. HEB and its foundations have donated 12-13 million dollars.
New Superintendent Search Process
Patterson stated that the school board has approved going forward with the search process for a new Superintendent. He explained that the search process is a 90 to 120 day process. A decision by the board on a finalist would occur in October or November. He said, due to the process and a waiting period required by law, a new superintendent would not likely be on board until after the holidays at the end of this year.
“My time is winding down.” Patterson said.
