Some North Texas schools closed for election day

PLANO, Texas - Some students across North Texas are out of school because of election day.

At least five North Texas school districts including Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, Lewisville and Garland ISDs canceled classes Tuesday. 

Those districts cited security concerns, saying they wanted to ensure the safety of students while giving the public access to campuses to vote.

Voter's Guide: 2022 Midterm Election in North Texas

Plano ISD is one of the districts that decided not to close. Instead, it has a plan in place to keep students safe.

Plano’s district administration building and 29 of its campuses are being used as polling sites.

Kevin Keating, the district's chief of safety and security operations, said he hired off-duty officers to patrol and visit polling sites. District security personnel will also make rounds.

Carrollton students work the polls for real-world voting experience

Keating said voters and election officials will also have limited access to campuses. T there will be a designated entrance and exit, restrooms and parking for voters.

Schools have been used for years as polling sites. It’s required by the state election code.

But after the school shooting in Uvalde in May, districts are taking a closer look at possible vulnerabilities in security.

"I think a lot of things over the years have led us to this point," said Kerry Moore, a Plano voter. "It's very disappointing as a country that we've come to this, I think. I don't know what the answer is, but I think it's very disappointing.

Plano ISD said voters can expect to see law enforcement officers patrolling the polling locations throughout the day.