Klein, Texas—In the wake of heightened safety concerns and the passage of House Bill 3 (88 R), Klein ISD made student safety a top priority by launching the Campus Guard Program.
While many districts struggled to meet the mandate, Klein ISD quickly took action, becoming the first district in Texas to establish its own licensed security company. This initiative created a Level III armed security team to provide full-time protection at every elementary school.
“Every school district had to have an armed person on every campus,” Chief of Police Marlon Runnels said. “It was a challenging initiative, but we took it on and successfully created our own Level III armed security force.”
Visible Presence, Daily Reassurance
Campus Guards provide a visible and approachable presence, allowing students to focus more fully on their learning.
“I have about 700 kids here, and I treat every one of them the same,” Campus Guard Chassidy Ogletree said. “They are my kids, and my job is to protect them.”
That daily on-campus visibility serves as a calm reassurance for staff and families.
“We are a deterrent,” Campus Guard Supervisor George Sanchez said. “We are here, and we’re not going to let anybody come into our campus and hurt our staff or our students.”
Numerous campus guards shared how families and community members routinely express their gratitude toward this special initiative in school safety.
“On numerous occasions, I have parents talking about how they feel their child is safe,” Campus Guard Edgardo Rivera said. “Being visible and approachable makes all the difference.”
Rigorous Training and a Pathway to Policing
To launch the program, Klein ISD Police Services developed a specialized 12-week training academy for Campus Guards, modeled on officer training. The program includes scenario-based drills, emergency response, firearms proficiency, and elementary-specific safety routines such as monitoring doors and greeting families.
“They receive many of the same trainings as our police officers,” Runnels said. “It gives them a leg up if they choose to pursue a police career and helps us fill cadet positions when they open.”
Daily responsibilities for Campus Guards emphasize proactive safety: welcoming families, directing traffic, securing perimeters, checking doors, and conducting frequent rounds.
“My presence and the many services I provide as a Campus guard are absolutely essential,” Rivera said.
Relationships That Support Learning
Klein ISD Campus Guards prioritize building relationships that foster trust and contribute to student well-being.
“I’m not a teacher, I’m not a principal, I’m not a disciplinarian. I’m someone here to protect you,” Rivera said. “If I can encourage these children to speak to me, in the future they’ll be most comfortable coming to me for anything.”
The program’s success reflects the strong collaboration across the district and broad community support.
“We are lucky to have the support of the Chief and the Klein ISD School Board, who are behind us 100 percent,” Sanchez said. “That’s all we need.”
What’s Next
Chief Runnels and his team will continue to refine the Campus Guard Program to meet evolving safety needs while enhancing student well-being and academic focus.
“My inbox is consistently flooded with positive messages from parents, students, and staff who are grateful for our Campus Guards,” Runnels said. “They bring calm, peace, and reassurance to our campuses.”
Klein ISD invites families and community partners to stay actively engaged in campus safety efforts while celebrating the relationships that support our students' success and well-being. Learn more about this program and explore all of Klein ISD’s safety initiatives at kisd.us/keepkleinsafe.