At Harlingen CISD, student safety is a top priority. To support this commitment, the district follows a multi-tiered, collaborative approach to safety and security, with each layer designed to protect students in different ways. From trained personnel to secure facilities, every measure works together to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment.
One of the newest layers of security is the HCISD Guardian Program, established in response to House Bill 3, which requires an armed security presence on every campus.
“The HCISD Guardian Program was established during the 2023–2024 school year with an initial staff of 25 Guardians,” Director of Emergency Management and School Safety Danny Castillo said. “For the 2025–2026 school year, the program expanded to include 10 additional Guardian positions.”
Unlike a traditional law enforcement model, which can pull officers away for administrative duties, HCISD Guardians are dedicated solely to the safety and security of their assigned campus.
HCISD’s Guardians are highly trained professionals with extensive backgrounds as law enforcement practitioners, averaging more than 12 years of experience. Each Guardian meets strict hiring standards and continues to receive advanced law enforcement standardized training after joining the district.
This year, HCISD welcomed new Guardians with experience from agencies such as the Harlingen Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, and regional school district police departments, among other local law enforcement agencies.
“The strength and long-term sustainability of any safety initiative depends on strong, collaborative partnerships,” Castillo said. “Our Guardian Program exemplifies this through the development of highly effective, multi-agency training initiatives. These efforts are carried out in close coordination with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.”
In addition to our Guardians, HCISD works closely with law enforcement partners, including the Department of Public Safety State Troopers, U.S. Border Patrol, Harlingen Police Department, Cameron County Sheriff’s Department, Cameron County Constable Precincts 1-5, Primera Police Department, and Combes Police Department. Off-duty officers from these agencies also provide security services on campuses across the district on an as-needed basis.
“The Guardians have become a vital component of our district’s comprehensive approach to safety and security,” Castillo said. “Their presence and preparedness serve as an essential layer of protection for the entire HCISD community.”
Beyond armed personnel, HCISD invests in secure facilities and technology, such as single-entry access points, advanced camera systems, and routine safety drills. HCISD has also implemented the Centegix Panic Card Alert system. All district staff are issued a panic card which will simultaneously notify district and emergency first responders while also plotting the location of staff member needing assistance on our HCISD Digital Mapping System. Seconds count during an emergency, and this system allows for fast efficient responses to any emergency identified at any district property. Another vital layer to safety is student well-being. Every campus has access to school counselors and mental health support.
“From our Guardians and law enforcement partners to our staff and community, we are united in one mission: protecting our children,” Superintendent Dr. Veronica Kortan said. “We are deeply grateful for the strong partnerships and trust that make this work possible. Every day, parents entrust us with their most precious gift, and we take that responsibility to heart.”
