Q: Where should parents look for communication about safety and security?

A: GISD has long followed safety and security protocols that go beyond state requirements for Texas school districts. For example, if a campus is evacuated for any reason, the district uses Blackboard messenger to notify the parents of students at that campus. If there is a campus safety concern, even if it turns out not to be a viable threat, GISD keeps parents informed using Blackboard messenger.

 

Q: Does the State require districts to follow safety protocols?

A: Yes. GISD, along with all Texas school districts, follows many safety protocols required by the Legislature.

Under Senate Bill 11, “if a threat assessment team determines that a student is at risk of violence, the superintendent must immediately attempt to notify the student’s parent/guardian. If a district receives a bomb threat or terroristic threat involving a facility where students are present, district officials must provide notice as soon as possible to parents whose students are assigned to or regularly use the facility. In addition, a district’s emergency operations plan must provide for immediate notification to parents in circumstances involving a significant threat to the health or safety of students.”

GISD follows this protocol, and has done so since before Senate Bill 11 was passed this session.

 

Q: What steps are typically taken by the GISD Police and campus leaders?

A: It is always the top goal of campus and district leaders to maintain a safe learning environment. In the case of a threat, here are the steps taken:

• GISD’s threat assessment team (GISD leaders and police officers) determines whether there is a viable threat.
• GISD communicates to the parents of the students on that campus.
• GISD police conduct a thorough investigation.
• GISD communicates the results of the investigation to the parents of the students on that campus.
• Although it is not required, often, GISD officials also communicate internally so the employees can answer questions they may receive from parents from other campuses.

Each case is different. In the recent case at GHS, police interviewed students, and responsible individual(s) told the truth, took full responsibility and had serious consequences. Student discipline is confidential, and the specific consequences are spelled out in the Student Code of Conduct.

 

Q: What safety training and plans does GISD have in place?

A: GISD has an extensive Emergency Operations Plan and follows safety and security procedures developed by the Texas School Safety Center.

All GISD employees take comprehensive safety training from Safe Schools, covering a variety of topics ranging from blood-borne pathogens to bullying. The GISD Police Department holds regular training and drilling of emergency procedures.

 

Q: What did GISD do recently to keep GHS parents informed after a GHS student posted a threatening message, which the student later took down and described as a "joke?"

A: GISD takes all threats, even those later turn out to be non-viable, seriously. Recently, GISD sent three emails to GHS parents regarding a post on social media in which a threat was made against the school during Homecoming Week. Here are the details:

1. The first email alerted parents about the post and the police investigation.
2. The second email informed parents that the situation had been resolved and that the students involved had accepted full responsibility for their actions. At no point were students and staff in any danger.
3. A third email was sent the day of the Homecoming Game assuring all parents and staff that safety measures were in place, as they always are, at that evening’s football game. The Homecoming Game and both the Community and Campus Pep Rallies went on without incident.

The Community Pep Rally, GHS Pep Rally and Homecoming Game and Dance went on without incident.