Last Saturday students across the country marched to express their concerns about school safety. We are reminded once again of the vulnerability of school campuses across our nation. We are still in the process of determining more precautionary moves to proactively protect our students and staff. We are working closely with our local law enforcement and relying on their expertise to help us in this process. Many districts are choosing to put more law enforcement in and around their campuses. I am in communication with Sheriff Martinez, and he finds himself in the same boat when it comes to money. Our budgets are just not fixed for an additional officer. We are committed to work together to make something happen along this line, but it will take some creativity to fund our needs. He will continue to send his officers to drive through our school parking lots and walk through our buildings when they are in the area to provide a conspicuous police presence. This mandate from the Sheriff is an addition to our already existing Student Resource Officer. Their presence has been noticed and appreciated by many people. We are appreciative of the Sheriff’s department and their willingness to collaborate with us in an attempt to protect us. We are still working with our school PTO’s to organize volunteers to be on our campuses with the sole purpose of “Neighborhood Watch.” We plan to make some crucial additions to our safety/security plan. Some of the moves we make may cause some inconveniences for us, but we are confident that parents and patrons will understand that safety measures typically come with a price. As we implement new protocol into our buildings, we will keep the public informed, and we ask for your patience as we do so. One thing is for sure. We will not let this go away. We are committed to making our kids safe.

Jerre Holmes

Superintendent