Texas has made significant investments in school security, allocating $1.5 billion in recent funding initiatives. However, despite this large figure, school administrators argue that a substantial gap remains between the state's safety mandates and the resources available to implement them effectively.
House Bill 3 (HB 3), enacted in 2023, requires every K-12 campus to have an armed officer on-site but provides only $10 per student and $15,000 per school—far below what many districts say is necessary. Experts estimate that schools need at least $100 per student to fully comply with the law’s requirements.
Recognizing these challenges, Gov. Greg Abbott has called for an additional $500 million in school safety funding, while both the Texas House and Senate have proposed $400 million in new funding over the next two years to close the financial gap. These proposed investments aim to provide schools with more resources to enhance security without diverting funds from educational programs.
For administrators navigating these opportunities, understanding available funding streams — including the $400M School Safety Standards Formula Grant and $800M SAFE Grant — can mean the difference between reactive and proactive security measures.
Current TX Legislative Framework & Requirements
Texas House Bill No. 3 sets precise safety and security requirements for public schools. The legislation mandates multi-hazard emergency operations plans (EOP) explicitly focused on active shooter threat strategies. Schools must implement comprehensive security measures, including emergency response mapping for each campus location.
Key compliance requirements include:
- Development of detailed emergency operations plans
- Implementation of silent panic alert technology
- Regular safety audits and assessments
- Active shooter response protocols
- Emergency communication systems
These requirements align with modern security solutions that provide real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities, ensuring schools can meet both compliance standards and practical safety needs.
Read the Complete Guide: The Future of School Security in the Modern Era
Texas: State Funding Programs for School Security
Texas offers several funding programs to help schools implement required security measures:
School Safety Standards Formula Grant
The School Safety Standards Formula Grant provides $400 million for essential security upgrades, including:
- Advanced monitoring systems
- Metal detectors and cameras
- Communication infrastructure
- Facility hardening measures
The Silent Panic Alert Technology (SPAT) Grant
The Silent Panic Alert Technology (SPAT) Grant program allocates $17.1 million specifically for implementing alert systems that enable immediate response to emergencies.
The Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) Grant offers unprecedented support through two cycles:
- Cycle 1: $800M for schools needing to meet basic safety standards
- Cycle 2: $275M for additional security enhancements beyond minimum requirements
Federal and Additional Funding Sources for Texas Schools
Texas schools can access federal funding streams. The state received $93.9 million through the Stronger Connections Grant Program, earmarked for creating safer learning environments.
ESSER Relief Funds continue to support school safety initiatives, with extended deadlines into 2025. Texas schools can also pursue:
- COPS School Violence Prevention Program grants for technology solutions
- BJA STOP program funding for violence prevention
- Homeland Security grants totaling $373.5M for emergency response systems
- Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding for private schools
Each program has different requirements and opportunities, with many allowing funds to be combined for maximum impact.
How to Get Funding for School Security (Texas)
Let’s talk about how to up your odds for success.
Securing Texas school safety funding requires careful attention to state-specific requirements and detailed preparation. Focus your application strategy on demonstrating how modern security technology helps meet both immediate safety needs and long-term compliance requirements.
Essential documentation includes:
- Comprehensive safety audit results
- Detailed implementation timeline
- Integration plan with existing security measures
- Clear metrics for measuring success
- Budget allocation breakdown
Pay special attention to application deadlines - many Texas programs operate on fiscal year cycles with specific submission windows. Plan your budget requests to align with both immediate needs and long-term security goals, ensuring sustainable funding for ongoing operations and maintenance.
Read the Case Study: How a Public High School Transformed School Security
Implementation Considerations
Compliance with HB3 requirements must guide your implementation strategy when deploying new security systems in Texas schools. Start by mapping how new technology integrates with existing security infrastructure while meeting state standards for emergency operations plans.
Focus on these key areas:
- Systematic deployment phases
- Staff training programs
- Regular compliance reviews
- Performance monitoring metrics
Working with experienced security partners helps ensure the smooth integration of new systems while maintaining compliance with Texas safety standards. Choose solutions that offer scalability and adaptability to meet evolving security needs and regulatory requirements.
Success in School Security Technology
Texas schools implementing comprehensive security solutions have seen significant improvements in campus safety and response capabilities. Through AI-powered security systems, schools report:
- Reduced incident response times
- Improved emergency communication
- Enhanced situational awareness
- Better resource allocation
Texas school districts are gaining measurable results from AI-powered security systems, improving safety while maintaining an efficient learning environment.
Waco ISD has implemented AI-driven metal detectors, significantly speeding up student entry by filtering out non-threatening items.
Liberty Hill ISD utilizes an AI-powered video monitoring system to proactively detect potential threats, such as weapons, open doors, or unusual behavior, allowing staff to intervene before incidents escalate.
While these systems require additional staffing and logistical planning, district leaders report increased security, greater efficiency, and positive feedback from students and parents.
Secure Texas Schools
Texas has made significant strides in funding school security, but challenges remain in bridging the gap between mandates and practical implementation. With over $1.5 billion in available funding, schools must act strategically to secure resources and deploy effective safety solutions. Understanding Texas-specific funding programs, such as the School Safety Standards Formula Grant, SAFE Grant, and SPAT Grant, is critical for ensuring compliance and maximizing financial support.
VOLT AI provides schools with real-time security intelligence, proactive threat detection, and fully integrated response systems—allowing districts to move beyond passive surveillance to intelligent, incident-driven safety solutions. Our AI-powered platform helps schools meet Texas House Bill 3 compliance, reduce response times, and optimize security resources without overwhelming existing personnel.
How Schools Can Get Started with VOLT AI
- Prioritize Your School’s Security Needs
- Conduct a comprehensive safety audit to identify gaps and vulnerabilities.
- Evaluate existing security infrastructure and determine integration opportunities.
- Secure Funding
- Identify eligible grants and funding cycles that match your district’s needs.
- Prepare a strong application with a detailed implementation plan and budget breakdown.
- Partner with VOLT for Expert Guidance
- Get assistance with funding applications and grant submissions.
- Ensure smooth technology integration and long-term operational success.
VOLT is here to help you navigate the process from funding to full deployment.
Book a demo, and let us show you our solutions.
