SAN MARCOS, Texas – The San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District has started the process of implementing a school marshal program.
During a board meeting on Monday, the administration voted 6-1 in favor of implementing the program, which would see armed school marshals at district campuses.
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No school teachers would be armed as part of the program and the San Marcos Police Department would help determine hiring criteria and the vetting process, according to the school board.
School Board President Clementine Cantu said instead of teachers being armed, “think about retired law officers or retired military — they could come and be the marshals.”
Cantu said school resource officers are already stationed at all the middle and high school SMCISD campuses and that the new program would put marshals at elementary schools.
The proposed program would require that marshals have monthly training and range requirements.
There would also be requirements that include passing a psychological exam, completion of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training, passing a written state exam and having a current handgun license, based on a presentation given during the meeting.
According to the TCOLE school marshal program, the sole purpose of a school marshal is to “prevent the act of murder or serious bodily injury on school premises, and act only as defined by the written regulations adopted by the School Board/Governing Body.”
SMSCISD Communications Coordinator Andrew Fernandez told KSAT Thursday that the program has not yet been implemented.
“The vote at the board meeting just gave administration approval to begin the process to start a school marshal program in San Marcos,” Fernandez said. “We still have to develop all the plans and then those plans go to the board.”
Several community members spoke out in opposition of the program during Monday’s meeting.
Board member Mari Salmi, the only board member who voted against implementing the program, echoed those sentiments.
“I have not heard personally any support by individuals for the school marshal program in our district — parents, community members or staff members,” Salmi said. “I know we had a survey of it and it seems like it’s a mixed response on the matter. It’s disconcerting to me that we are moving forward with something that has been given no vocal support by our constituents as representatives of those people.”
Trustee Anne Halsey responded to Salmi saying she’s heard from a number of people who are in favor of the program but added that she’s also heard the opposite.
Halsey’s overarching message, however, was that she said the people she’s heard from know it’s a complicated situation and that they just want students to be safe.
Fernandez told KSAT he would provide more details once the board approved the final plans for the program.