A longtime law enforcement officer has been tabbed to helm a recently created Hays CISD position dedicated to campus security.
Phillip Taylor, who has worked in a variety of positions at the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), and is also the Mayor of Mountain City, was named as Hays CISD’s first Director of Safety and Security in an Aug. 23 press release.
Hays CISD leadership created the position over the summer to focus on campus safety, said Superintendent Eric Wright in a statement. The new position will oversee security at all 23 campuses; Hays CISD is projecting enrollment to surpass 20,000 students this school year.
“Given our size and the times in which we live, this position is important, and I couldn’t be more pleased that Philllip Taylor will serve our students and employees in this role,” Wright said.
Taylor currently works as a sergeant with the HCSO and oversees the School Resource Officer (SRO) program for three districts in the county, according to a press release. Taylor has two decades of law enforcement experience, including serving as a detective, deputy and corrections officer with the HCSO.
Taylor holds a master peace officer license and is a certified special investigator, mental health peace officer, and instructor.
He also has completed more than 3,000 hours of training in public safety topics ranging from firearms, use of force, investigations, negotiations, tactics, as well as medical and mental health.
“He knows our students, our parents, our staff, our law enforcement partners, emergency management leaders in the county, local government leaders, and our schools,” Wright said. “He also knows our strengths and weaknesses. He will start work on day one and know who to contact and what to do to make our district a safer place to be.
Taylor, a 1996 Hays High graduate, begins his new position Sept. 4.
