LONGVIEW, Texas — In a school board meeting Monday, Longview ISD unanimously approved the purchase of glass reinforcement films for all the district's schools and facilities. The total cost of this added layer of protection was $250,000.
"The film is made up a strong adhesive and it forms a protective membrane on the inside of the glass," said Longview ISD's Director of Safety Scott Fisher.
This is all part of an effort for the school district to go beyond meeting the state’s minimum requirements for enhanced school security.
"With this first round, we are going to look for minimum standards. What is required to be in compliance," Fisher said. "Our district is also looking into reinforcing additional glass as we work with our safety officials here in town to make our buildings as safe as possible."
Though it may not be bulletproof, the new safety measure aims to slow down a threat to give law enforcement extra time when responding to a possible threat.
"The idea is that the film holds the glass together to keep someone from breaching a particular pane of glass and it gives us an opportunity to respond." Fisher said.
Another feature about this glass film is that it works as a one-way mirror where personnel and students can see outside but intruders can’t see inside.
"(An) added benefit it also is going to help with energy savings as well," Fisher said.
This film is also protecting students from mother nature’s wrath when it comes to severe weather.
"Depending on the velocity of the object that’s hitting the window. This film has been tested," Fisher said. "They had a rock that penetrated the window, and it worked exactly like it was supposed to work."
It’s an added layer of security the district hopes it won’t need but is there if it does.
"In a crisis situation when someone is trying to get in and do harm, the more time you have to respond the better off you’re going to be," Fisher said.
Time that is of the essence when saving lives. Fisher said the cost of this extra layer of security goes with the district's School Safety Standers that were updated in November of 2022.