As students across Harris County head back to school, nothing is more important to Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones than ensuring every student is safe. Recently, she led the charge in passing bylaws that allow the Safe School Commission to expand its membership to high school students.  

After completing their 2022 school safety recommendations the Commission was dormant until reconvened by Commissioner Briones in 2024. With the new bylaws approved by Commissioners Court on August 27, the Commission is officially a permanent, standing body to better deliver progress on recommendations that enhance safety in schools.  

The bylaws also extend membership to two high school students to inform the Commission's decisions and initiatives.  

Saami Baig, a former John Cooper High School student and current undergraduate of Rice University, joined the Commission in 2022. In light of the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde the same year, Baig was motivated to join the Commission because it gave him the opportunity to directly voice his ideas for implementing school safety reforms. 

Baig believes the additional student members will provide the diverse perspectives that are crucial to drive meaningful change.  

“This commission is an immense opportunity for students and government officials to collaborate on making schools safer across one of the most populous counties in the nation,” Baig said. “When we take the time to hear from our school community, the initiatives we come up with will make a sizeable impact on our county.” 

Traci Latson is a former Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School teacher who taught in HISD for 28 years before joining the Commission. Dubbing herself as the “school mom,” Latson has always thought it to be her responsibility ─ and the responsibility of all teachers ─ to care and nurture students as if they were her own children. 

With the Safe School Commission becoming a standing body, she sees it as significant progress toward empowering teachers and administrators to shore up the county’s schools. 

“There’s so much that happens in schools that disrupt school safety, and so many things that need to be in place to keep kids safe,” Latson said. “The Commission is trying to fill in gaps in the school safety system. Now, we can deliver greater progress on our recommendations and give our educators and administrators the support they need to help give the best experience to our children.”  

Last year, the Commission proposed recommendations that focused on replacing and renewing outdated or malfunctioning infrastructure, like doors and locks, improving emergency response systems, and unifying school safety protocols for parents and faculty. 

The Commission hopes to bring forth recommendations this year that provide trauma-centered approaches to refining school safety drills, increasing law enforcement presence in schools, and more. 

Reflecting on her experience as a young student facing safety challenges in her own school, Latson became a teacher to improve learning environments for future generations. She is excited about how the Commission’s work will spark the dialogue necessary to transform the entire school safety system. 

“It takes a village to raise healthy, wholesome kids,” Latson said. “And I’m happy to have the support of the Court. Every single member on the Commission has the desire and hope to make safer learning communities.”  

Want to make a difference in your school and community? Apply to join the Safe School Commission and be part of a team dedicated to making Harris County schools safer for everyone.