School administrators in McAllen, TX, face immense pressure to protect students and staff following high-profile security incidents. While the public often demands immediate, highly visible security upgrades, administrators must balance these expectations against strict budget constraints and the practical realities of daily campus operations.

The natural impulse is to "overbuild"—to harden a facility until it resembles a fortress. However, effective security is rarely the result of extreme physical fortification alone. True safety requires layered planning and strategic technology integration. Projectile-resistant film supports a broader response strategy rather than acting as a standalone silver bullet.

When emergencies happen, every second counts. That’s why many McAllen-area schools are adding projectile-resistant film to vulnerable glass surfaces. But with so many testing standards—UL, ASTM, GSA—it’s easy to get lost in the acronyms. What do these labels actually mean? And which ones matter when it comes to protecting students and staff?

Let’s break it down so you know what to look for before deciding.