The state of Texas, the U.S. and the world have been reeling, following the tragedy at Uvalde in which a shooter ran inside Robb Elementary School and barricaded himself inside a class with teachers and students.
The gunman was shot and killed in the tragic events but not before he killed 19 students and two teachers and injured 17 others.
Emerging details in the aftermath have drawn many criticisms over the performance of school personnel and law enforcement as a teacher left a back door open while local police, believing the shooter to be alone, waited for backup while the gunman was locked inside.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Dublin ISD Superintendent Melissa Summers, who said she’s watched the reports and can’t help but imagine what it would be like if it happened here.
It’s everyone’s prayer that events like this would never happen, but Dublin and Lingleville started preparations years ago through facility enhancements and security programs.
Dublin ISD officially adopted the Guardian Program in May of 2018, which appoints anonymous school personnel to carry concealed weapons and keep current on many hours of training both on the gun range and through active shooter simulations conducted on each campus.
Summers said the program is still going strong and that guardian staff are actively training every year.
Dublin ISD has also constructed more security doors at each campus and has set up “offices as a barrier” to potential threats entering the building. Summers also reported that the addition of window film at each school was done to enhance security as people inside can see out but people outside can’t see in.
The district also benefits from the support of local law enforcement and its active school resource officers who are present throughout school days and events. In the wake of the Uvalde shooting, Summers said she and Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray are going to take time to speak about any lessons to be learned or potential improvements.
“We can always improve and get better,” she said.
Lingleville ISD started its own Sentinel program earlier, partially due to its remote location, since it can take longer for county law enforcement to reach them depending on where they are in Erath at the time of a call. In 2013, the LISD school board approved appointed anonymous school staff to carry concealed firearms and keep current on training.
The vote was followed by live simulation training the same year led by Tac-Pro.
The school’s security was greatly enhanced in the last school year with the construction of the new cafeteria and classrooms. The new building now acts as a unified entrance with security doors and an emergency system in place to alert Erath County Sheriff’s Office if they are needed. The construction also included the addition of fencing which remains locked in school hours and prevents access to the playground which used to be visible from FM219.