Texas School Districts Trained Public Information Officers

State law now requires districts to designate communications leads following a 2022 mandate.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Administration

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a minimalist school building icon paired with abstract radiating signal lines. — Texas school superintendents are participating in mandatory Public Information Officer training to improve district communication protocols during emergency situations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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South Plains superintendents from Hale Center, Smyer, and Olton recently attended mandatory Public Information Officer training in Fort Worth. This role, formalized by House Bill 33, ensures districts have staff trained to provide real-time updates to families.

Why it matters

School districts are now required to maintain professional crisis communications to manage information flow during emergencies. This legislative change helps administrators build trust and provide accurate, verified details to parents during high-stress incidents.

House Bill 33 mandates that every school district in Texas designate a certified Public Information Officer. Superintendents must now complete training through the Texas Division of Emergency Management to fulfill these state requirements.

The players

Texas Division of Emergency Management

The state agency responsible for coordinating emergency response and providing certification for school district communications officers.

House Bill 33

The piece of state legislation that formalized the mandate for school districts to employ a designated Public Information Officer.

The details

The Public Information Officer role was established following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting to improve safety communication. During crisis situations, these designated staff members are responsible for issuing direct, official updates to parents to prevent the spread of social media rumors. Superintendents participate in annual certification classes at sites like the Tarrant County Sheriff's Training Academy to sharpen these communication strategies.

2022: Uvalde school shooting occurred.
September 28, 2026: Hale Center schools were placed on hold during a police pursuit.
Week of September 29, 2026: Superintendents attended training in Fort Worth.

The Home Front

This mandate aligns with broader state efforts to standardize crisis response across public education facilities in Texas. It marks a shift toward formal professional communications as a required component of district operations following high-profile safety incidents.

Check your school district's website or official newsletter to identify the designated point of contact for emergency updates. Familiarizing yourself with these official channels now ensures you know where to look for accurate information if a campus incident occurs.

The takeaway

Mandatory communication training ensures that parents receive reliable, real-time data during district emergencies. When local schools face sudden incidents, such as the September 2026 hold in Hale Center, rely solely on updates from the designated district office rather than social media speculation.