Two Dallas County school districts announced Friday they are increasing security on their campuses following a spate of school shootings in North Texas.
Garland and Dallas ISD shared with families that they are making several changes to their campuses to keep students safe. Together, nearly 200,000 students were enrolled on campuses in these two districts in the 2022-23 school year, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
This change was made in the wake of several shooting incidents that affected students in North Texas. Classes were canceled Friday at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Dallas after two students were injured in a drive-by shooting. Two days earlier, an 18-year-old student was killed and another student was taken into custody in a shooting on the grounds of James Bowie High School in Arlington.
Two weeks ago, a student was shot and injured inside a classroom at Wilmer Hutchins High School in Dallas.
Dallas ISD officials said the April 12 shooting at the Southeast Oak Cliff campus “highlighted areas for improvement to keep our schools safe.” A district investigation found the gun used in the shooting was brought into the school during late enrollment, and officials said several safety protocols were not strictly followed.
Officials said they are increasing arrival and dismissal staff, retraining on backpack checks, canes and metal detectors, and “reworking schedules” to have more staff monitoring students. .
“Schools should always be safe havens, and we are proud of our students and team members who stepped up to be part of the solution,” officials said in a news release.
Officials said Garland ISD campuses will undergo daily random searches with walk-through metal detectors, exterior door checks, more teacher duty rooms and more safety lessons in classes, including conflict resolution. He said that it is expected that student safety will be strengthened.
“We are committed to maintaining a safe and conducive educational environment where our students can thrive and feel safe,” Garland ISD officials said in a letter to parents. Stated.
