Richardson ISD staff have begun implementing campus safety improvements following a recent state inspection, according to a presentation at the Jan. 15 school board meeting.

The big picture: Richardson ISD recently underwent a required district vulnerability assessment by the Texas Education Agency to identify opportunities for proactive security improvements. TEA randomly selects districts for a mandated evaluation every four years in order to evaluate a district’s physical and procedural vulnerabilities, said Mike Jasso, assistant superintendent of district operations.

The details: The TEA representatives inspected facilities, reviewed documents and interviewed staff members to assess the district’s emergency preparedness. Although specific details regarding campus vulnerabilities are confidential to the public, Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the areas for improvement were largely administrative. She said the district has already addressed many of the corrective actions, and the board discussed further improvements during a closed session in the Jan. 15 meeting.

“Reducing the vulnerability of our campuses is an absolute priority,” Branum said.

Salam Grill is now open in Richardson, rebranding under new ownership from Albaghdady Restaurant, which opened at the same location three years ago. Salam Grill started in Damascus in 1992 and has since expanded to cities like Dubai, Boston and Tampa, serving up a variety of Syrian and Iraqi cuisine.

Owner Sam Raad said the restaurant is updating its menu and signage during the transition. Menu highlights include over-wood charcoal beef kebabs, lamb tikka, beef and chicken shawarma and traditional appetizers like hummus and tabbouleh with fresh baked tandoori bread.

• Opened January
• 329 N Greenville Avenue, Richardson

Conquer Fitness opened a Plano gym Jan. 2, Business Owner John Dougherty said.

The details: The business offers semi-private classes, with a six-person maximum class size, focused on strength training for clients 40 years and older.

• 1801 Preston Road, Plano