Willis started using an anonymous reporting system with Crime Stoppers in 2001. Over the years, we have changed to various systems and now evolved to the needs of the students with a more user-friendly texting reporting system which started in 2020. Our K12 Anonymous Alert System is provided for students and parents to use whenever they need to report bullying, criminal activity such as drugs, assaults, theft, and criminal mischief. The app sends a message to campus and appropriate district administrators, depending on the level of report. The app is monitored 24/7, however - staff may not respond until the morning. Reports can be made anonymously or the person submitting the report can provide contact information in order to be contacted for additional information.  https://report.anonymousalerts.com/willisisd/

Yes, All Willis ISD Campuses are equipped with locking vestibule doors. The doors to the campus have to be unlocked by a receptionist managing the door. This allows the receptionist to control who has access to the rest of the building. They are also equipped with an alarm button to push if an intruder enters the building.

Since 2000, Law Enforcement Officers have trained and drilled all faculty and staff annually on critical incidents to include but not limited to: Tornado/Weather Issues, Evacuation/Reverse Evacuations, Shelter in Place (Secure / Lock-out), and Lock Down (“Active Shooter”) to address any threats to students, staff, and campuses. These trainings also include substitute teachers, cafeteria, maintenance, and custodial services. The state requires a certain number of drills but Willis ISD increased the normal requirement.   

This year Willis ISD will be conducting age-appropriate safety drills with students. Teachers will receive a script of what to say that is tailored to the age group, and split up into PreK/Elementary, Middle Schools, High School. Teachers will have these discussions in the classrooms, and the campus will hold at least two drills per year involving students.

Texas has required all districts to have and maintain a Multi-Hazard Emergency EOP since 2005.  The Willis ISD plan was developed in 1999 and has been amended, modified, and improved throughout the years to the changing needs of the district.

Yes, the Director of Counseling, Kelly Locke, provides trauma-informed training to administrators, counselors and teachers.

All faculty and staff are trained by the District's Law Enforcement on steps to follow in response to a critical incident. The district follows the Standard Response Protocol recognized nationally as the go-to plan for emergency management.

1. In 2018, Willis ISD implemented the RAVE Panic Button, a wifi-based cell phone app with a panic button for our registered staff and law enforcement to use to notify or receive an alert of an Active Assailant on campus. Once activated, it alerts all personnel on that campus of the threat, (along with district administration and law enforcement), while simultaneously dialing 911 for the activator to provide information to law enforcement.
2. Faculty are trained and drilled to follow a checklist. Please be aware that our district's emergency operations plan is subject to non-disclosure law regarding certain information as outlined in Texas Education Code, 37.108 (c-2). We will not disclose any details of the plan beyond what is allowed that would compromise the integrity of the plan itself.

Willis ISD utilizes the Texas School Safety Center K-12 Standard Reunification Method Toolkit. School emergencies may require an evacuation or change in operational schedules of a school, necessitating a well-organized and structured way to reunite students with parents.

Yes, following are the safety measures that are in place. 

In 2012, Willis ISD began to teach with all doors locked and secured - not only to prevent classroom instruction from being interrupted but to stop an intruder from making easy entry to a classroom. All exterior doors are prohibited to be propped, unsecured, or opened without a faculty with access to control them. In order to ensure that all staff follow these guidelines both interior and exterior doors are monitored and documented by law enforcement and administration daily.

All visitors are checked in to campus using Raptor (see below) and required to wear a visitor tag - if without one, staff will stop and inquire, then personally escort the visitor to the front to get them checked in properly.

Raptor Program - Visitors must present valid ID which is run through the system to screen for identified sexual predators and ensure that all visitors are allowed to be on campus.

All faculty members have direct communication with the District's Law Enforcement Supervisor and are required to report any suspicious activity from suspicious vehicles/persons on property to concerned harmful writings from a student. Our faculty is trained to notify administration or law enforcement so that an investigation can occur.

Willis will start the 2022-23 school year with nine School Resource Officers (SROs) from Montgomery County Pct#1 Constables Office. The school board approved the addition of a constable in July to provide better coverage to campusers. Now, every campus either has an officer housed on campus, or has one within one mile. These nine officers are State Certified Law Enforcement Officers and they: 

1. Are all certified in ALLERT (Active Shooter Training)
2. The division tactically trains on Willis ISD campuses, the SRO Lieutenant has completed training in SWAT, Advance SWAT Training, Hostage Negotiations, and Mental Health.
3. SRO’s Qualify twice a year with their weapon for proficiency (state requires once).
4. The SROs have Mental Health training to adjust to students that are struggling with various medical diagnoses . 

Willis ISD Administrative staff is required to complete a comprehensive threat assessment form when information is received of a potential threat. After the information is received the campus administrator informs SRO to assist with the assessment. Once the information has been confirmed, the proper action is taken to ensure the safety of students, others and staff.  Further information can be located in the 2021 Averting Targeted School Violence is considered a best practice for preventing targeted school violence.

Willis ISD has on staff a Director of Communication and support staff. The Willis ISD Communications team supports district and campus goals to promote a positive, informative and educational climate by facilitating communications between and among students, staff, parents, and the community. The department works to communicate the outstanding achievements of our students, increase parental and community engagement, and foster public trust and understanding. The department would lead communication efforts to parents and media in the event of an emergency. The district has accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Campus Law Enforcement monitors several student social media apps; Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Whisper, Messenger, HOLLA, Yik Yak To stay abreast of student’s activities. Willis ISD also understands social media will play an important part with students when these major events occur. The impact of such a tragic event causes even young students to disengage with parents and adults turning to social media for more information or to reach their peers. School Safety Center provides an excellent guide, Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting, provides more information on reactions, consequences, and coping for parents.

Willis ISD uses the Texas School Safety Center’s Mental Health Resource Toolkit as a starting point for awareness of what is occurring at the state-level and for identifying area resources. 

The district counseling director can support the mental health concerns of campuses. 

The National Center for School Safety has also developed a resource returning to School After a Crisis: A Guide to Addressing Traumatic Events at School. This guide is intended to support staff when returning to school following a crisis and contains information about warning signs that a student is in distress, tips for talking and working with students as they return, and mental health resources.

Willis ISD supports the findings of The Texas School Safety Center that has developed a wonderful resource guide,  A Parent’s Guide to School Safety Toolkit and Cyber Safety and Digital Responsibility: A Parent's Guide for parents to use as a reference.

Additionally, the district is adding Care Solace, a mental health coordinating company for education. Care Coordinators match students, staff and families in need to independently verified, local service providers, securing appointments in days, not weeks or months.