Fort Worth Schools Approved New Security Technology Contract
The five-year deal provides emergency badge alert systems across campuses for staff and teachers.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Administration
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The Fort Worth ISD board of managers approved a five-year contract with Centegix to implement new safety technology. This system includes staff-issued security badges, safety blueprints, and visitor management systems across district campuses.
Why it matters
The investment aims to bolster emergency response capabilities, though it arrives as the district faces a nearly $50 million budget shortfall. Philanthropic support will cover the initial costs while the district seeks funding for future years.
The district finalized a five-year agreement for security systems, with year-one costs covered by a $1 million donation from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation. Future annual costs reach $1.8 million starting in year two.
The players
Fort Worth ISD
The local public school district managing campus safety and educational services for area students.
Centegix
A security firm that develops safety and emergency management technology for school environments.
Sid W. Richardson Foundation
A philanthropic organization that supports community projects and local educational initiatives.
Pete Geren
The current Board President of Fort Worth ISD who recused himself from the security contract vote.
The details
The Centegix technology functions through wearable staff badges that allow employees to signal for help immediately. Teachers can trigger an alert by pressing a button on the badge; pressing it three times notifies the school office of a medical or service emergency, while pressing it eight times alerts police.
Timeline
The first year of implementation covers all campuses across the district.
The second year of the contract incurs a total cost of $1.8 million.
The Home Front
This move reflects a broader trend of school districts adopting integrated security software to manage emergency responses. The board must now reconcile these new service costs against a $50 million deficit and flat property tax rates.
Parents and families should watch for district communications regarding how these visitor management systems will affect school access procedures. If you have questions about the safety measures on your child's campus, consult the school office for the current protocol.
The takeaway
The district is prioritizing emergency alert capabilities through new technology to standardize staff response protocols. Families should monitor district updates on the school calendar to learn how new visitor management systems might change check-in requirements at their local campus.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates in Administration across the district.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Report.
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