Statement from Santa Fe ISD Superintendent Dr. Leigh Wall

SANTA FE, TX -- (Press Release) Today, our community suffered a terrible tragedy at Santa Fe High School.  Words cannot express the sorrow in our hearts for those we have lost. As I write this message, our campus remains an active crime scene with law enforcement personnel from throughout our region supporting Santa Fe ISD Police Chief, Walter Braun.

Like you, I have many questions about this horrific event.  Those answers will come in time as this methodical, thorough investigation moves forward.  You have my word that you will remain informed and involved as we cope with this event together as a family.  

In the meantime, the Santa Fe community will pull together to support our friends, neighbors and loved ones who are suffering.  This is a time for prayer and a time to rely on the deep bonds that have always held our special community together.

We have received an outpouring of offers of support from our neighbors locally, statewide and nationally.  I want you to know that we will gladly accept every resource that will help our students on what promises to be a long road to recovery.  Your children’s needs -- emotionally, spiritually and physically -- will be met by those who are best equipped to do so.

This is only the first of many messages you will receive from me as our team seeks to keep you informed.  Today is a day to begin mourning those we have lost and nursing those who are hurt. We are in this together.   

Statement from the San Angelo Independent School District

In light of the national tragedy that took place in our own state today, we extend our heartfelt condolences to all those impacted by the events in the Houston area at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe ISD. As we increase security measures, San Angelo ISD has recently added a position to oversee campus operations and safe environments. We have many proactive measures in place regarding student and staff safety.

SAISD follows guidelines from the Texas State School Safety Center in determining safety procedures and protocols. The district has an emergency plan in place which includes a campus crisis team. We conduct regularly scheduled safety meetings and drills at the campus and district levels. Staff and administration actively monitor campuses. Upgraded and additional security cameras also support monitoring of campuses and parking lots. The district partners with San Angelo Police Department and the Tom Green County Sheriff's Department to provide an additional layer of monitoring to support school personnel in addressing school safety concerns.

Also, we are partnering with first responders to provide campus staff with specific safety and security training related to these recent tragedies.

Our parents play a vital role in the safety and security of our students and in preventing tragedies. We encourage parents to have open communication with their children, including any concerns regarding social media, and to share any concerns with campus personnel. We also ask parents to ensure students understand that even joking about school violence leads to an immediate and swift investigation of the threat when campus and/or district leaders become aware of such conversations.

Across the nation, schools are working with their communities to provide safe learning environments. SAISD continues to value the parent and community partnerships in making our schools safe for students and staff. Safety is our top priority.