Update on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m.: Our commitment as a district has been, and will continue to be, that every one of our students and staff members feel safe and secure when coming into our buildings. Please know that we are forming ways in which the community can voice their input pertaining to school safety, and our school safety committee—comprised of students, staff, parents and community members—will be reestablished to help review systematic procedures and determine the next best steps.

In the meantime, we have implemented changes at all Mansfield ISD schools to enhance our safety and security processes even more. Effective immediately, MISD schools will have these heightened physical security measures:

• The Mansfield ISD Police Department will be partnering with neighboring agencies to ensure that more law enforcement is available at our campuses.
• There will be a designated staff member at the district level, who is fully trained in safety and security, to assist campuses in monitoring high-traffic and common areas in real time through our video surveillance systems.
• In addition, random classroom checks will be implemented on our secondary campuses to check for weapons and other unauthorized objects using metal detector wands.

These protocols are in addition to our current Emergency Operations Plan and will remain in place until the safety committee finalizes its recommendations. Although the above measures go into effect immediately, the conversation with the community surrounding safety and security at our schools will be ongoing.

There will be a Town Hall Meeting with the goal of opening a dialogue between MISD officials alongside law enforcement and district stakeholders. The meeting will provide an opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions about student safety. We want to be proactive about safety, so topics like social-emotional learning and our threat assessment reporting will also be included in those conversations.

Update on Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.: The events that transpired last week at Timberview High School were incredibly difficult for the entire community. Please know that Mansfield ISD will remain focused on the healing process and on the physical and social-emotional safety and well-being of our students and staff.

Tomorrow, Oct. 12 marks the first day after the tragedy that students and staff members will be back together on campus. Along with counseling services, there will be heightened security and police presence until further notice. Safety and security protocols are also being thoroughly reviewed. Watch the video message from Superintendent Dr. Kimberley Cantu.

Update on Oct. 8 at 10:00 a.m.: Going into the weekend, Mansfield ISD wants to ensure the healing process continues and that students, staff and families are able to get the assistance they need to cope with a crisis any time of the day.

Remember that Mansfield ISD’s 24/7 Student Support service is always available. It provides assistance to students for various struggles during non-school hours. There’s even additional support through a free referral service to help those with mental health or substance use issues to get matched for treatment.

Another valuable resource is Cigna’s free community resource that provides support during times of high stress and anxiety. The company has a 24-hour toll-free helpline (1-866-912-1687) to connect people directly with qualified clinicians who can provide support and guidance.

Please monitor your feelings and emotions frequently and listen to your children as well to see if they are doing okay. We are in this together, and we want to ensure no one is walking through this difficult time alone. There are free resources and professionals standing by who can listen to you and help.

Update on Oct. 7 at 11:15 a.m.: Mansfield ISD is focused on the healing process after the events that unfolded at Timberview High School on Wednesday, Oct. 6. We are grateful there were no fatalities, and reports indicate that those injured are expected to recover. All the students at the school were successfully reunified with their parent or guardian.