#TeamVISD,
Tuesday's tragic, senseless act of violence at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX has shaken us all to our core. I cannot begin to fathom the grief and heartbreak the families, coworkers, and friends of those lost are experiencing. It is something that no parent, teacher, or school should ever have to live through.
On behalf of Victoria ISD, I share our deepest condolences to the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District during this difficult time. We hold you in our hearts and thoughts and send strength and resilience to the entire Uvalde community.
Over the last few days, VISD has received many inquiries regarding safety and security at our campuses and facilities, and I want to assure with you that VISD remains in a continuous state of heightened awareness to keep our campuses and other facilities safe while diminishing the prospect of intrusion by anyone with intentions to harm our students and staff.
Prior to Tuesday’s tragic event in Uvalde, Texas, we had witnessed several mass shootings in Texas and across the nation which elevated our consciousness to implement preventive measures on our campuses.
Safety has, and always will, remain a top priority in VISD.
The district has School Resource Officers (SRO) and security guards on all secondary campuses, and the entrances to all our school campuses are secure. This daily law enforcement and security presence is evidence of the school board and administration’s absolute commitment to keeping our students and staff safe during the school day and during extra-curricular programming. SROs or security guards are dispatched to elementary campuses as requested or as needed.
Along with access to security and law enforcement personnel and regularly held safety drills, all VISD campuses have digital security camera systems accompanied by dedicated computers to monitor “real-time’ activity on the campuses. Anyone attempting to gain access beyond the entryway (or foyer) to any VISD school campus must be manually or electronically granted access to the interior portions of the facilities.
The district has installed delayed entry film on the glass doors, entrances, and exterior walls, digital badge readers are located at facility entrances to restrict physical access to authorized personnel only, and in 2022-2023, VISD plans to install protective bollards to diminish the possibility of vehicular intrusion at both traditional high school campuses.
To ensure deeper safety measures, the district is also in the final phase of a project to install Aiphones, two-way digital communication devices that control access.
The VISD Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) outlines the District’s Prevention, Mitigation, and Preparedness actions in response to emergent situations. Components of these plans include our Safe and Supportive Schools Program which encompasses self-care, management of stress, drug awareness, mandatory reporting, and shared school safety resources the mitigative efforts of our campus administrators and counselor in response to the ongoing needs of students and staff, and preparatory/response exercises, training, and drills.
To ensure that we keep abreast of the latest and most recent trends in school safety and security, the district engages a security consultant/specialist who regularly meets with and has discussions with administration regarding school safety needs and recommendations.
Since 2020, the Coordinator of District Safety has guided the implementation of the VISD two-way radio communications network which ensures that all campuses and major support departments have continual and direct radio communication with district administrators.
Because the Uvalde situation occurred earlier this week, we will look at the findings of the investigation’s conclusions, once they are available, and determine if there are any implications for our campus and district safety procedures and structures.
Also, I intend to add safety and security as an information item at the next regularly scheduled board meeting so that the board of trustees and I can have a conversation about our current safety status and any thoughts about future changes.
We know this is a difficult time and our students and staff, along with us, maybe having a hard time processing the news of so many innocent lives lost. If your child needs support, please reach out to your campus administrator or campus counselor. Know that we remain committed to providing a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for our students and staff.
I have profound gratitude for your partnership and support in keeping our students, teachers, schools, and community safe.
Quintin Shepherd, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools