Harlingen CISD Launches New School Safety Initiative

The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) recently inaugurated a new school safety initiative aimed at enhancing security across its various campuses. The initiative, announced by the Harlingen Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. J.R. Gonzalez, introduces the CISD Guardian team, which will be stationed at schools throughout the district to ensure the safety of over 17,000 students.

Dr. Gonzalez emphasized the importance of providing a safe and secure environment for students and staff, stating, “When our students come to our schools, when our teachers come to work, we want them to feel safe.” The Guardian program, he added, is an additional layer of protection to achieve this goal.

Michael Ortiz, a member of the Harlingen CISD Guardian team, outlined the requirements for individuals interested in joining the program. Prospective guardians must have a minimum of five years of law enforcement experience, pass physical and psychological exams, and ideally, have previous experience working with children.

One of the primary objectives of the Guardian program is to foster a positive relationship between students and safety officials, aiming to improve communication and create a safer school environment. Officials present at the inauguration assured the community that this initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal.