The ector county independent school district, located in odessa (ecisd), ector county texas, requests $499,960 to implement the program school youth safety through enhanced monitoring and…

The ector county independent school district, located in odessa (ecisd), ector county texas, requests $499,960 to implement the program school youth safety through enhanced monitoring and interagency communication (systemic), which is focused on school safety through the purchase of equipment and efforts to improve school climate and address inclusiveness of historically marginalized populations, such as african-americans and latinx ethnicities, along with respect for diverse culture, language, civil rights and privacy. Located in the permian basin region of texas, 230 miles from the U.S.-mexican border, ecisd enjoys a large population of latinx children, with 20% coming from non-english speaking homes. Ecisd has a service area of over 900 square miles, located midway between FT. Worth and EL paso, texas, including the cities of odessa and goldsmith, along with the unincorporated areas of pleasant farms, west odessa, gardendale and no trees. Ethnically, the district is 80% latinx, 14% anglo, 3.5% african american and 2.5% other. The district serves over 31,500 students, 57% of whom live in poverty and 65% who are at risk for school failure. The ecisd police department recognizes that student emotional well-being, as well as preventative school safety measures are urgently needed to ensure an optimal learning environment for all students. Collaborators for the project include the hispanic chamber of commerce, the city of odessa police department, the university of texas of the permian basin police department, odessa college police department, odessa crime stoppers, odessa student crime stoppers, the ector county hospital district police department, the ecisd community outreach center and a university consultant on school climate. The overarching goal of the project is to: improve the safety and well-being of all ecisd students, families and staff through the use of enhanced technology and culturally proficient policies and procedures. The intended outcome is to ensure ecisd officers, educators, students, staff and families are prepared for active shooters and other emergencies; and to promote inclusive efforts to engage and better serve students and families from historically marginalized ethnic groups, such as african americans and latinx people. Objectives include purchasing police vehicle radios to establish interagency communication for swift response to emergencies, monitoring all 45 campus camera systems in a central location, developing procedures and policy for new technology that reflect a culturally proficient school climate and privacy/civil rights concerns, training for officers, students, families and staff on the new technology and related policing.