For the 2025-26 school year, Lewisville ISD has hired 45 new security screeners to operate weapon detection systems at the entrances of all district high schools.
In an email, LISD Chief of Student Services, Jeffrey Kajs, said the decision to deploy screeners and weapon detectors was made by voters as part of the 2023 bond election.
“This item was presented to and approved by the One Vision Task Force to be included in the 2023 bond and voted on by the LISD voters.”
In developing new security policies, Kajs said LISD consulted with several stakeholders, law enforcement partners and other Dallas-Fort Worth independent school districts experienced with integrating similar safety measures.
Kajs said the transition to new daily safety protocols has been effective.
“While the implementation required some adjustment from both staff and students, the systems have quickly become integrated into daily operations,” Kajs said. “The weapon detection systems and security screeners are functioning efficiently, with low alarm rates and minimal disruption to campus routines.”
LISD’s investment in its own front-line defense included extensive training for these new hires. Screeners, hired from open applications, underwent advanced security training and have been authorized to carry firearms on LISD campuses.
“As a prerequisite, screeners bring with them a Level 3 Commissioned Security Officer license through the Texas Department of Public Safety,” Kajs said. “Additional training is provided by third party training partners and certified trainers within the [LISD] safety and security department.”
A Level 3 license, for armed security officers, is the most intensive security certification in Texas, requiring 45 hours of state-approved training. In addition to the state-mandated firearm qualifications and written exams, LISD requirements included scenario-based drills.
“It was about 120 hours,” security screener Brandon said. “Four weeks [of training] before school started. We trained for different real-life scenarios, qualifications, and [training with] pistols.”
Security personnel posted on campus requested their last names not be included in this story.
Kajs said additional security training for screeners is based on best practices and what the district provides for LISD Guardians posted at elementary schools.
Math teacher Malinda Bowman appreciates the presence of the new security personnel on campus.
“It just makes me feel safer,” Bowman said. “The more people trying to keep us safe, the safer we are.”
Senior Jackson Horn said he feels there are more effective ways to ensure school safety.
“It doesn’t make me feel much safer,” Jackson Horn, senior, said. “I feel like there are better ways to secure schools than [private security guards].”
School safety remains a prominent national issue. According to a Cable News Network (CNN) report released Sept. 23, 2025, there were 83 school shootings in 2024 in the United States. In 2025, 53 shooting incidents have been reported – 27 incidents were on college campuses and 26 were on K-12 school grounds.
