County Superintendent Statement on Uvalde, Texas Shooting

San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold released the following statement today regarding the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary. 

The school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is the latest in horrifying violence in our country. This senseless loss of life is difficult to process. And yet our children are looking to adults for support and reassurance.

You can't educate students without them being safe; it's a responsibility San Diego County school leaders and employees take very seriously. While we know schools remain among the safest places for students, we also know that today's shooting may cause heightened concern about safety issues.

To be sure, every San Diego County school has a safety plan and procedures that contribute to maintaining a safe learning environment for our students. These plans are constantly reviewed by school employees, who consistently seek to implement best practices in maintaining the safety and security of our schools. 

San Diego County school districts work closely with law enforcement agencies to build systems that aim to prevent violent episodes in local schools. A 2021 School Safety Summit convened more than 145 school leaders, employees from the District Attorney’s Office and other public safety agencies, and San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) staff members to work collaboratively on best practices to prevent and reduce targeted school violence in San Diego County. Since 2018 when the county’s School Threat Protocol was established at the first School Safety Summit, SDCOE and the District Attorney’s Office offered many resources and trainings to prevent school violence.

In addition to ensuring physical safety prevention measures, educators also emphasize the importance of positive school climate and culture in prevention. We care deeply about our colleagues and our students, and must do everything we can to come together and move forward. The SDCOE team stands ready to continue our supports for local districts to ensure the safety of San Diego County students and staff.