Texas announced plans to allocate $15 million to assist in the construction of a new elementary school in Uvalde.
After a gunman stormed Robb Elementary School earlier this year and killed 19 students and two teachers, the city mayor announced the school would be demolished. Texas hopes to roll out the $15 million funding as part of a larger $874.6 million package aimed at bolstering public safety more broadly.
UVALDE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT MONTHS AFTER SCHOOL SHOOTING
“Texas continues providing support to the Uvalde community in the aftermath of tragedy as they rebuild. I thank my legislative partners for the swift allocation of these additional funds to ensure the ongoing safety and security of all Texans,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said in a press release.
Students resumed classes last month and had been spread out among three other local elementary schools due to the pending demolition of Robb Elementary School.
. @GregAbbott_TX, @DanPatrick and @DadePhelan announce $874.6M will be transferred to state agencies for school safety, border security and COVID expenses — including $15M to help build a new elementary school in #Uvalde #TXLege pic.twitter.com/aGAFLBdIUW
— Ashley Goudeau (@AshleyG_KVUE) October 27, 2022
The shooting took place in May, ending with law enforcement killing the shooter. It renewed a national conversation about gun laws and led to intense scrutiny over public officials in Uvalde and Texas, particularly law enforcement personnel who had a lagged response before breaching a classroom where the gunman was barricaded.
A number of top officials in Uvalde, such as Police Chief Pete Arredondo and the school superintendent, have been pushed out or resigned from key positions during the aftermath of the shooting.
Other key components of the package include $400 million to help schools upgrade doors and windows to fortify security, $339 million for the Texas Military Department to boost border security measures, $20.6 million to help “other state agencies” with Operation Lone Star, and $100 million to contend for COVID-19 response expenses.
Operation Lone Star is a border security initiative involving the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department. As part of the program, Texas has transported thousands of immigrants from border communities to Democratic strongholds such as Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
“Securing the safety of our children and our southern border are issues of paramount importance,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick declared. “This action ensures that Texas is in a strong position to confront these issues head-on during the upcoming legislative session.”
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A proposal letter laid out multiple avenues for the funding to get allocated, including surpluses in certain funds.
Texas’s legislature is mulling further public safety measures, including for schools and the border, during the next session, according to the governor’s office.
