Uvalde CISD searching for Interim Police Chief; Q and A reveals outside security fencing may be the only physical barrier of entry for campus classrooms with exterior doors
Uvalde CISD Board President Luis Fernandez spoke to the members and guests of the Rotary Club of Uvalde last Thursday, August 4th at noon at the Uvalde Country Club. 
Fernandez discussed several issues Uvalde CISD is working on including security installations, fire drills, communications, campus entrances and new security procedures to be implemented at all Uvalde CISD Campuses.
New Security Fencing
According to Fernandez, new security fencing was delivered approximately one to two weeks ago. “Fencing has been a priority,” he said.
He stated the security fencing being installed has been donated by Design Master and is currently being installed at the Dalton Elementary School Campus.
“Fencing materials have been ordered for Batesville, Benson, UDLA (Uvalde Dual Language Academy), Flores, Uvalde Junior High and UHS (Uvalde High School),” he said.
Regarding the Uvalde CISD police department, Fernandez said the district is searching for an interim police chief.
“We are searching for an interim police chief. We had 16 applicants for UCISD police department, ” he said.
He went on to talk about the interview committee reviewing the candidates and working on an assessment of background checks to continue.
Referring to the candidate interview process Fernandez said, “And that’s probably one the more sensitive topics and that’s going to take a little more time. That’s because we want to get it right, ” Fernandez said.
“In the meantime we have already received confirmation from Texas DPS that they will be having us have 30 to 40 troopers to have basically four at every campus. They will be there for extracurricular activities. They will be there for…two on the inside, two on the outside…just to have a presence, right. It’s going to be a different look; it really is. It’s probably going to take some accustoming right? It’s something we’ve gotta do , once again, earn that trust of the community,” he said.
Campus Monitoring System
Fernandez also talked about having a designated person designated as campus monitor. He explained that a person would be responsible for going around campus all-day long, opening doors, checking doors. If something is found to not be in compliance the campus monitor would immediately report it as part of the district’s campus monitoring system.
Fire Drills
Fernandez stated that the district is required to have approximately 9 fire drills throughout the year. “Our strategy is going to be instead of using sirens right away; just use our intercom system,” he said.
Other Campus Changes:
“Our 3 and 4th grade classes at the Benson complex. It will be called Uvalde Elementary,” he said.
He went on to say that 8 portables all have been delivered at Dalton and each portable will be equipped with Wi-Fi, intercom systems and fire alarms.
“Crossroads Academy will be moving to our Oppenheimer Street property,” he said.
During the question and answer time, Fernandez answered questions asked by several Rotary Club members.
New School Location Search
Fernandez took questions from those attending the Rotary meeting. It was during this time Fernandez stated the district had a property in mind for the new school site.
“We have looked at different properties. “
He continued saying, “We have zeroed in on a property that we think will be a good campus and have that scalability to…” he said.
Classroom Exterior Door Question:
“Given the way that Dalton is designed, how do you have a single entrance for it? Richard Whipple asked.
“It would be through the north side, ” Fernandez said.
Fernandez went on to explain the previous entry process used at the Dalton Campus.
“The doors of all the classrooms open out,” Whipple stated
“Yeah. There was a fence on the outside, right, “Fernandez said.
“The fence is going to be the only thing… it’s the primary… there is not a secondary way like in…” Whipple said.
“Right. Correct. Some of our schools…those are our biggest hurdles right, the ones that have the classes on the outside. But that’s why we’re trying to funnel everybody though one fence strategically to funnel them all to that one entrance. Like, you’re not going through a classroom unless you go through here first,” Fernandez said.
New Security Fencing installed at Dalton Elementary School
