Looking for other opinions

[DaveT]

I am sure I know the answer to this, but to be 100% right, I am posting this to ask y'all for your advice:

Our Homeowner's Association has moved the location of it's quarterly meetings to an Education Service Center building because it has a larger meeting room. One of the people in the association works there and was able to secure the room for meetings.

For the last two meetings, the Homeowner's Association has hired an off duty Police Officer for security at the meetings. All off duty assignments go through the department, and he works in uniform, per the department's regulations.

At last night's meeting, one resident was arrested after he got out of hand. This person has a self proclaimed anger management issue. Two meetings ago, the issue of speeders on the residential streets was addressed and this person made claims on two different occassions that he would use his AR-15 to shoot speeders if they drove by while his child was playing outside.

My question is this: Since I have a CHL, am I legally authorized to carry when I am attending the meetings? Again - this is an Education Service Center building. The only teaching that goes on there is when they are having certification courses and continuing education courses for regional teachers.

Thanks in advance, I look forward to your replies.

[texanron]

I would skip the meetings whether I could carry or not out because that guy sounds like he might show up one time and start shooting folks at random.

[DaveT]

I would skip the meetings whether I could carry or not out because that guy sounds like he might show up one time and start shooting folks at random.

That is exactly my concern and the reason for this thread.

[noosh9057]

I would skip the meetings whether I could carry or not out because that guy sounds like he might show up one time and start shooting folks at random.

That is exactly my concern and the reason for this thread.

Yes I would skip it also.

[fishman]

The way it sounds, I wouldn't want to be around that guy at all. Skip it.

[threoh8]

[Devil's advocate] What will the HOA do that you don't like, if you don't attend? [/Devil's avocate]

Yet another reason I'm leery of HOA's. Another level of (unofficial) government, another place where folks can be overbearing, riled up, self righteous, or downright angy. I'd like to reduce the number of those gatherings I have to pay attention to, but I worry about what happens when good folks don't attend.

[hpcatx]

I would skip the meetings...

Yes I would skip it also.

Skip it.

Wow, everyone is advocating that the meeting be skipped. Perhaps import decisions regarding the OP's HOA are being decided and skipping isn't a viable option. After all, for many the home is often one's single largest investment.

Seems like this get's back to the age old question of what's a school? Are the administration buildings included? Are we talking only Pre-K through college, or vocational institutions as well? If you're not including home schools, do private schools need to meet some accreditation? What about the grocery store that also hosts instructional cooking classes?

More reading on this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=31233
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3669
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29924

[tornado]

Since ESCs are defined and established in the Education Code and are funded by the Foundation School Program, I would classify each as an "educational institution." 46.03(a)(1) YMMV

EDIT: after more (but not exhaustive) reading of the Education Code, I see that "educational institution" is used to mean "school" when discussing post-secondary education, even though I haven't found it explicitly defined.

[DaveT]

I would skip the meetings...

Yes I would skip it also.

Skip it.

Wow, everyone is advocating that the meeting be skipped. Perhaps import decisions regarding the OP's HOA are being decided and skipping isn't a viable option. After all, for many the home is often one's single largest investment.

Seems like this get's back to the age old question of what's a school? Are the administration buildings included? Are we talking only Pre-K through college, or vocational institutions as well? If you're not including home schools, do private schools need to meet some accreditation? What about the grocery store that also hosts instructional cooking classes?

More reading on this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=31233
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3669
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29924

Thanks for the links. After reading through those threads, I am even more confused. The building I referenced in the post that started this thread is an administrative building, but not a part of the local ISD. It is a regional Educational Service Center that is accredited by the TEA. The area school districts contract with the ESC to hold certification training for their teachers.

While I do not attend all of the Homeowner's Association meetings, the ongoing series of meetings are important because the HA is talking about raising monthly dues.

[Bulldog1911]

I would skip the meetings...

Yes I would skip it also.

Skip it.

Wow, everyone is advocating that the meeting be skipped. Perhaps import decisions regarding the OP's HOA are being decided and skipping isn't a viable option. After all, for many the home is often one's single largest investment.

Seems like this get's back to the age old question of what's a school? Are the administration buildings included? Are we talking only Pre-K through college, or vocational institutions as well? If you're not including home schools, do private schools need to meet some accreditation? What about the grocery store that also hosts instructional cooking classes?

More reading on this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=31233
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3669
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29924

Thanks for the links. After reading through those threads, I am even more confused. The building I referenced in the post that started this thread is an administrative building, but not a part of the local ISD. It is a regional Educational Service Center that is accredited by the TEA. The area school districts contract with the ESC to hold certification training for their teachers.

While I do not attend all of the Homeowner's Association meetings, the ongoing series of meetings are important because the HA is talking about raising monthly dues.

Not sure, but I would think that the admin building is still considered school premises, and therefore off limits. IANAL
Maybe you could help the HOA locate a different meeting place.

[Barbi Q]

If it's owned by a school district or educational agency, I think you will have a hard time convincing a jury that it doesn't count as a school. Right or wrong, I think that's reality.

[kjolly]

Sit in the back close to the door for a quick escape if it gets rowdy. Would practice tactical awareness and avoidance.

[bilgerat57]

Not a lot of good choices here. I have to agree that I would consider the premises to be part and parcel of the school, and as such is a no-go for CC. I also agree that if you feel you must attend the meetings, stay near the door and keep an eye on whacko........

[5thGenTexan]

Not owned by ISD, no class's held there I would NOT consider it a school and would be carrying.

[chasfm11]

Since the threat is specific and identified, is there anyway to suggest that the police department assign an additional officer to monitor this nut's activities at the time of the meeting? Not doing so puts their uniformed officer attending the meeting at more risk. Mr. Anger Management's first action would probably be to take out the LEO so as to leave the rest of meeting at this mercy. The officer's handgun against an AR-15 is going to be bad odds.

Your situation is another good reason (on top of the 100s that I already had) for not living where an HOA has control. Been there, done that, won't do it again.