FERRIS – It takes more than a good curriculum to make sure students get through their 12 years of education as well-rounded as they need to be in the world.
While the classroom might be the main focus, safety for students while they are in the classroom is also of paramount importance.
Recently, Ferris ISD was named the safest ISD in Ellis County.
That should make both parents and students breath a sigh of collective relief, but it should also make the entire community proud.
While all the ISD’s are focusing on the Texas Education Agency ratings, the local ISD police departments could easily be forgotten.
The Ferris ISD police department received an “A” rating for safety this year, which was one of the highest safety ratings in Ellis County. With fewer resources, they beat Waxahachie (A-), Red Oak (B+) and Ennis (B).
“We understand that educating youngsters is our primary objective” said Ferris Superintendent James Hartman.
“For that to happen, students must feel safe and secure on our campuses as well as loved and cared for.
“We are proud of the work our FISD Police Department and campus administration/support staff do each day to ensure student and staff safety.”
Ferris ISD Police Chief Josh Newman said the department has two trained dogs; one narcotics/controlled substances and the other munitions/gunpowder/ explosives.
There is a total of seven staff in the FISD Police Department, including five licensed peace officers, one police services officer, and one dispatch/office manager.
There are also four licensed reserve commissioned police officers.
There is always at least one officer at every campus and two officers at the high school.
Newman said the police department is operational on every district calendar day to include all extracurricular athletic and special events.
The Ferris ISD police provide constant emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response & recovery), life safety systems (security & fire alarms), uniform services (campus police & special events) and special operations (investigations, K9, training and tactical response).
The K9 unit is handler Lieutenant John Julin, operating two K9’s to assist the district in adding an extra layer of security; K-9 Storm who handles narcotics detection, and K-9 Heat who is skilled in weapons detection.
“At all times in our work, we place the safety of students, staff, and district guests as a top priority while also providing building blocks of learning to those we influence,” Newman said.
“We strive to be instrumental in the growth and success of FISD while working tirelessly to set the standard in protection and safety.
“We are always here in trust and transparency to talk with those in both the school community, and general public.
“Know undoubtedly we will protect, serve, and invest in the future of our youth.”
In addition to being named number one in Ellis County, the Ferris ISD Police Department was also named number 10 in the Metroplex and number 96 out of all school districts in the state of Texas.
“We, however, have a much larger goal of continuously improving, and sustaining our successes for Ferris as a whole,” Newman concluded.
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