Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) managers voted this week to move forward with a multimillion‑dollar, five‑year security contract with the firm Centegix. The agreement will be funded for its first year by a $1 million donation from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, with the second‑year cost projected at $1.8 million.
Funding concerns and board vote
Board member Jay Stegall, who calculated the district’s finances, voted against the contract, citing a nearly $50 million shortfall after Superintendent Peter Licata’s instructional model investments. Six other managers supported the deal, while Board President Pete Geren, who leads the Richardson Foundation, recused himself from the vote per conflict‑of‑interest policy.
Stegall asked, “Considering where we are financially, what is the plan to take care of this financially over the next three to four years?” Chief of staff Louis Kushner confirmed the district will not pay for the first year and that future funding remains uncertain.
Security technology rollout
The first‑year rollout will equip every campus with new security technology, including staff badges, safety blueprints, and a visitor‑management system. Centegix’s system allows teachers to press a badge button three times to alert the front office of a medical emergency, or eight times to summon police in an armed‑person scenario.
Licata, who previously oversaw schools in Palm Beach and Broward counties, highlighted the need for rapid response tools, noting that “everyone cares about school safety, but nobody thinks about it until something happens.” He said the district will rework its safety budget to keep Centegix in schools.
Future financing
Kushner said the goal is to rely on philanthropic funding for the entire five‑year period, and administrators have been reaching out to local business and charitable leaders for support. Manager Tennessee Walker, who voted for the upgrade, warned that if funding does not materialize for subsequent years, the board could choose not to renew the contract.
The board will review the contract annually, weighing both security needs and the district’s fiscal health.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
