Katy ISD Hosts Uvalde Review; Discuss Lessons Learned to Best Protect Katy Schools

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

January 7, 2025

By Natalie Cook Clark

Katy ISD students return to school today and the district continues to prioritize the safety of their students, staff, and visitors. The district hosted a variety of experts and officials for a critical incident review of the 2022 mass shooting a Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas to see how the lessons learned could be applied to protect the district.

Photo credit: Katy ISD

Katy ISD Hosted Discussion Ahead of Students Returning to School

Katy ISD hosted more than 230 participants, including Katy ISD police officers, crisis management teams, and representatives from local and county emergency response agencies, including city and county law enforcement and hospitals, for a critical incident review of the 2022 mass shooting a Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. They met at the district’s Merrell Center to gain insights on lessons learned from the tragedy.

“The tragedy at Robb Elementary serves as a solemn reminder of the immense responsibility we share to protect our schools and communities,” says Dr. Gregorski. “Your presence and commitment to safeguarding schools and communities is deeply appreciated.”

The review was led by Nazmia Comrie, a senior program specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and James Golden, a policing consultant with more than 40 years of service in law enforcement. It included a timeline of the incident, observations, and recommendations for those working in tactical command, school safety, emergency management, and public communication.

On May 24, 2022, an active shooter took the lives of 19 children and two school staff, injuring 17 others at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. At the request of Uvalde’s city leadership, the U.S. DOJ established the Critical Incident Review to conduct an independent after-action review of the mass casualty event and provide recommendations.

More information about the Department of Justice’s Uvalde findings can be found on the DOJ’s COPs website.

District police and crisis management teams collaborate with external law enforcement partners to routinely train and prepare for known and unknown scenarios and threats. The district prides itself on these ongoing partnerships and its community’s unwavering support of school safety.

Katy ISD Exceeds State-Mandated Standards

Katy ISD currently exceeds the state-mandated standards. Every district campus is staffed with armed police officers and/or security guards, equipped with integrated alert systems, 24/7 surveillance, and regularly conduct safety drills. Designated staff at each school train extensively on the latest mental health supports and crisis mitigation.

Earlier this academic year, Katy ISD police added a partnership with contracted K9 police units trained in narcotics and weapons detection to conduct random inspections at secondary campuses.

The district encourages students, staff, parents, and community members to be part of the process of keeping the district safe through their anonymous reporting app. The Speak Up app is free to all and allows the district to assess threats.

Katy ISD welcomes students back to class today after the Winter Break.

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