HOUSTON, Texas—As part of its commitment to supporting safer, future-ready schools, Region 4 Education Service Center (Region 4) will host a school safety expo from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on October 17 at the McKinney Conference Center, 7200 Northwest Drive, in Houston.

 

The Region 4 Emergency Management and School Safety Expo will bring together safety experts, school administrators, and key stakeholders from across eight counties to discuss significant challenges facing school districts, including disasters, active shooter scenarios, cybersecurity, and student mental health. The event will equip school administrators, campus police, emergency first responders, and safety coordinators with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance school safety protocols.

 

A special highlight will be the presentation of the Dr. Rod Paige Safety in Action Awards to districts in the categories of Innovation in Safety, Safety in Action, Safety Team, and Safety in Leadership.

 

“Several Region 4 school systems were selected for the inaugural Dr. Rod Paige Safety in Action Awards to recognize individuals or teams within our school community who demonstrate exceptional efficiency and effectiveness in managing crises or emergency situations,” said Ken Culbreath, Director of Emergency Management and School Safety at Region 4. “This award celebrates those who go above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of our schools.”

 

The event will also feature networking opportunities and a keynote address by Dr. Manda H. Rosser from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School who will speak on leadership in school safety.

 

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in curated learning tracks focused on Health and Wellness; Emergency Management and Operations; Culture, Climate, and Community; and Law, Policy, and Finance.

Sessions and topics include:

• Krystal Davis from The Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) will present on youth mental health first aid.
• Erica Graham from Houston ISD Legal Services will discuss the complexities of student searches.
• Assistant Chief Dean Hensley from the Waller County OEM and Fire Marshal’s Office will provide insights into basic incident management strategies.

For more information and to register, visit esc4.net/schoolsafety/expo. Registration is free, and early registration is encouraged as space is limited.

 

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About Region 4 Education Service Center
Region 4 is one of 20 regional education service centers established by the Texas Legislature in 1967 to assist school districts and charter schools in improving efficiencies and student performance. Regional education service centers are nonregulatory, intermediate education units. Texas Education Code, Chapter 8, gives each school district the opportunity to voluntarily be served by and participate with a regional education service center.

Region 4 serves an 8-county area comprised of 48 public school districts and 43 open-enrollment charter schools, representing more than 1.2 million students, 111,000 educators, and 1,500 campuses. To learn more, visit esc4.net.