Safety & Security

Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The attached information will help you learn about options for, as well as how to
talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.

In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services
(SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in
Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access
to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass
violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide.

It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely
to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the
offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable
firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:

Failed to secure the firearm; or
Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access

The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable
by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of
the two).

Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax.

Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored
elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public
Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.

Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.

2024-2025 Safety & Security Committee

Rickie Leck – Administration
Dr. Coby Kirkpatrick – Administration
Shawn Shockler – Administration
Elizabeth Childress – Board President
Joe Trevino – Board Member
Kimberly Tuggle – Special Education
Chad VanWinkle – Transportation

Glenna Pollock – Director of Guidance & Counseling
Debbie Reynolds – Community Relations
Allison Errico – Community Relations
Heath Meland – Technology
Dalton Neathery - Technology
Janie Galan – PEIMS Coordinator
Michelle Logan – Skyward Specialist
Christi Gregory – District Nurse
Adam Jinkens – Cleburne High School
Holly Ramirez – TEAM School
Gary Holycross – DAEP
Ricky Lewis – Smith Intermediate School
Tina Martin – Wheat Middle School
Autumn VanWinkle – Adams Elementary
Dr. Brent “Will” Barnes – Coleman Elementary
Kyndal McHam – Marti Elementary
Molly Fitzgerald – Irving Elementary
Rena Jones – Gerard Elementary
Christina Roberson – Cooke Elementary
Matt Ford – Santa Fe Elementary
Zac Johnson – Emergency Management Group
Corrie Stiles – Emergency Management Group
Asst. Chief Craig Huskey – Cleburne Police Department
Sgt. Robert Thompson – Cleburne Police Department

Matt Wylie – Precinct 1 Constable
Cherine Murray – Adams, Wheat, CHS Parent
Jacy Flores – Coleman, Smith Parent
Austin Lee – Smith Intermediate
Vanessa Buttler - CHS

Campus SRO’s

CHS

Officer James Hailey

Officer Corey Hall

Wheat MS

Officer Michael Ridling

Smith IS

Officer Wesley Mackey

Fulton

Officer Dale Abbott

Elementary SRO’s

Adams

Officer Monica Tharpe

Coleman

Officer Paul Carson

Cooke

Officer Drew Hufstedler

Gerard

Officer Jim Polley

Irving

Officer James "Dru" Summey

Marti

Officer John "Andy" Pickens

Santa Fe

Officer Roman Jones

Meeting Dates, Minutes, Notices & Agendas

Texas Education Code (TEC) 37.109 mandates that each school district in Texas establish a Safety and Security Committee in accordance with the guidelines established by the Texas School Safety Center. Committee membership includes district and campus administrators, department directors, Board of Trustee members, local emergency management officials, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other community stakeholders.

2024-2025 SSC Meeting Dates: