What to Know for the 2025 Emergency Operations Plan Review Cycle

Public school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and junior colleges must submit their Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Basic Plan and Active Threat Annex to the Texas School Safety Center as part of the 2025-26 review cycle.

This article consolidates the key review requirements, compliance updates, checklist expectations, and helpful resources from the TxSSC and TEA.

At a Glance

• Sept. 2, 2025: Submission Portal Opens
• Oct. 2, 2025: Submission Deadline
• Required Format: PDF only
• Focus of Review: Basic Plan and Active Threat for Schools Annex

EOP Basics

In support of safe, secure learning environments, Texas law requires public school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and junior colleges to maintain Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs).  EOPs serve as essential safety tools, providing a comprehensive framework for preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies in public school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and junior colleges.

The Texas School Safety Center, collaborating closely with the Texas Education Agency, is tasked with ensuring districts comply with these critical safety planning standards.

The Role of the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC)

The TxSSC oversees the review of over 1,000 EOPs each cycle. Districts must submit two core documents: the Basic Plan and the Active Threat for Schools Annex, by Oct. 2, 2025. These must be uploaded in PDF format through the TxSSC Review Portal (not TEA’s Sentinel system, which is used for storing annexes and appendices beyond these two documents).

The Role of the Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Under Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 37, the TEA enforces compliance with school safety mandates. TEA supports TxSSC by monitoring plan submission, ensuring adherence to deadlines, and responding to noncompliance through formal deficiency notices, mandated public hearings, and conservator appointments when necessary. TEA also manages the Sentinel platform for archiving all additional annexes and appendices not under TxSSC’s direct review.

Related: TEA Safe and Supportive Schools Program

EOP Core Components: What Must Be Included

The Basic Plan and the Active Threat Annex serve distinct but complementary purposes in a school district’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The Basic Plan provides the foundational framework for how the district will manage all emergencies. It outlines the district’s overarching policies, roles, responsibilities, and coordination strategies across all hazards and emergency phases: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

In contrast, the Active Threat Annex is a functional annex that focuses specifically on how the district will respond to active threat incidents, such as an active attacker or other violent intruder. This annex details tactical actions and operational procedures, emphasizing immediate threat response and coordination with law enforcement, while aligning with the five emergency management phases. Whereas the Basic Plan sets the stage for district-wide emergency readiness, the Active Threat Annex drills down into specialized procedures for high-impact, time-critical situations.

Basic Plan Elements:

• Formal plan adoption and superintendent signature
• Annual review and record of changes
• Hazard analysis by campus or region
• Emergency training, drills, and psychological safety protocols
• Facility audit, safety committee records, and communication protocols

Basic Plan Template

Active Threat for Schools Annex Elements:

• Hazard overview, active shooter policy, and threat detection methods
• Armed security compliance, panic alert access, and Standard Response Protocol alignment
• Family reunification plans and post-incident recovery strategies

Active Threat for Schools Annex Template

Using the TxSSC Planning Checklists

Districts should refer to TxSSC’s published checklists when developing or updating their plans to ensure all requirements have been met before submitting for review. These include item-by-item legislative mandates from the Texas Education Code, aligned with TEA expectations. Districts should document page numbers for each compliance item.

Basic Plan Checklist

Active Threat Checklist

Key Updates for the 2025–26 Review Cycle

Several updates to the review process and EOP components are in effect for the 2025–26 cycle:

• Portable building safety and access/functional needs, must include portable-building auditing, incorporation of “Best Practices for Safety in Portable Instructional Buildings,” Safety & Security Committee review and weekly door inspections (BP5, BP4, AT6, AT7)
• Charters and junior colleges serving multiple regions must submit hazard analyses for each region (BP3)
• Enhanced emergency map submission and first responder walkthrough protocols (BP14, BP15)
• Psychological support services and trauma-informed care training now required (BP8, AT30)
• Full implementation of the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) from the 'I Love U Guys' Foundation (AT25)

Note: Alphanumeric numbers in brackets refer to specific requirements on the checklists.

TXSSC Support

TxSSC provides direct support through regional school safety specialists who offer virtual or in-person consultations. In addition, a pilot Expedited Review Program will allow selected districts to receive personalized assistance for achieving compliance within 20 business days.

TASB Risk Management Fund Support

Districts can also turn to the TASB Risk Management Fund for hands-on assistance. Services include template guidance and detailed review of draft plans to identify gaps prior to submission. For additional information, or to schedule a consultation, please contact Andy Michael, TASB School Safety & Security Consultant, at andy.michael@tasb.org

Conclusion

Texas schools must be equipped to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all hazards. Through clear legislation, detailed checklists, and support from the TxSSC, TEA, and the TASB Risk Management Fund, school leaders have the tools they need to comply with emergency planning mandates and to better protect their communities.