Texas lawmakers have mandated armed guards at every public school, panic buttons in classrooms and more staff training.

Many school districts across San Antonio are scrambling to hire certified officers, with House Bill 3 now in effect. The bill requires armed security officers on all campuses during regular school hours.

A bill to increase the state’s support for school safety appears stalled in this month’s special legislative session. But even if it passes, superintendents warn it isn’t enough.

The San Antonio Independent School District board voted to file for an exemption in House Bill 3, a sweeping school safety bill that requires districts to have at least one armed security officer present at every campus.

US Rep. Tony Gonzalez of San Antonio on Monday met with officials from various school districts and local law enforcement agencies to talk about school safety.

The two chambers have been at odds over property tax relief and school choice, but on Tuesday night, those divisions spilled over into priorities the bodies had previously agreed upon.

Lawmakers have said school safety is a priority this session, but it is still unclear whether they’ll listen to Uvalde families who want to raise the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic guns from 18 to 21.

(Credit: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times via REUTERS)A powerful Texas House committee on Thursday is set to consider one of Speaker Dade Phelan’s top legislative priorities this session: a bill that would address the governor’s emergency powers during a pandemic. That 10-member entity, known as the “Pandemic Disaster Legislative Oversight Committee,” would consist of the lieutenant governor, House speaker and certain committee chairs from both chambers, according to a draft version of the new House Bill 3 obtained by The Texas Tribune. House Bill 3 aims to carve out future pandemics from how the state responds to other disasters, such as hurricanes. Fourteen other senators, including three Democrats, have signed on to the two Birdwell measures, Senate Joint Resolution 45 and Senate Bill 1025. AdThe House State Affairs Committee is scheduled to consider House Bill 3 during a hearing Thursday morning.

But the more tricky territory could be reforming the parameters of a state pandemic response. The emergency powers debate will unfold in the aftermath of Abbott’s decisions to lift the statewide mask mandate and allow businesses to reopen at 100% capacity. Ad“A great, conservative victory”As filed, House Bill 3 would carve out future pandemics from how the state responds to other disasters, such as hurricanes. The “Pandemic Liability Protection Act,” to be filed as Senate Bill 6, is also on the list of Senate priorities. “I think that’s important to always include the Legislature as much as possible,” said Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, noting how large and diverse a state Texas is.

San Antonio – More than 3,600 Texas teachers are getting a boost in pay for the next five years. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced Tuesday its inaugural Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) list, which was made possible with the passage of House Bill 3 in 2019. Teacher pay is based on a teacher’s designation level of master, exemplary or recognized. The districts must use at least 90% of the funds on teacher pay. Dr. Saul Hinojosa, superintendent of Somerset ISD, said the pay increase is life-changing for some of his teachers.