NASBE President on Texas School Shooting

For Immediate Release: May 18, 2018

Contact: Michael Spaeth, michael.spaeth@nasbe.org, 703-684-4002

NASBE President on Texas School Shooting

Alexandria, VA – NASBE President and CEO Kristen Amundson today made this statement on the horrific school shooting that occurred in Santa Fe, Texas:

“Our hearts go out to those in Santa Fe, Texas. Keeping our children safe and healthy is a sacred trust for all those who work in public education. Our commitment to ensure that every child in this country is safe at school every day remains steadfast. We will not let this issue disappear. We will continue to work to help schools prevent these devastating events. Our students deserve no less.

“Just yesterday, the U.S. Department of Education hosted a convening on school safety that delved into lessons learned from school-based mass shootings and offered powerful personal accounts from survivors. It is our responsibility to keep these stories at the forefront. The families and survivors of Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, and Parkland deserve our attention and resolute commitment to prevent school violence. I encourage all state board members to read their stories and the recommendations of experts in the field to inform the discussions in their states and to remain engaged in the national dialogue.”

• Marisa Reddy Randazzo’s statement reveals what we know about school shooters and how that can inform prevention efforts and threat assessments.
• William Modzeleski’s statement explains the role of a federal commission following the shooting at Virginia Tech and key findings from the commission’s report.
• Michael Mulhare’s statement as Virginia Tech’s first director of emergency management provides practical advice on threat assessment, security infrastructure, and individual preparedness.
• Scarlett Lewis offers a compelling personal account of the Sandy Hook shooting and her lifelong call to action to prevent such tragedies.
• Derek O’Dell offers a personal account of surviving the school shooting at Virginia Tech. Among his observations: “A simple deadbolt lock may have allowed our professor to lock the door at the first sound of gunfire.”

NASBE is the only national organization giving voice and adding value to the nation’s state boards of education. A nonprofit organization founded in 1958, NASBE works to strengthen state leadership in educational policymaking, promote excellence in the education of all students, advocate equality of access to educational opportunity, and ensure continued citizen support for public education. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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