My heart goes out to the Evergreen community and all who were touched by the tragic events of September 10th. I am deeply grateful for the quick actions of students, staff, and first responders, as well as for the emergency training that was put into practice and helped prevent an even greater tragedy.

The first responsibility of any school district is to do everything possible to keep our schools and facilities safe. The events in Evergreen remind us of the importance of everyone knowing how to respond in an emergency, and of the strength of our partnerships with law enforcement and first responders. While we know we cannot prevent every act of evil, there are steps we can take to strengthen safety.

We must continue to build strong partnerships with law enforcement and ensure school resource officer coverage is appropriate. We must keep up regular drills so that staff and students know exactly how to respond in different situations. We must invest in our school buildings to ensure the latest and most effective safety and security technology is in place. We must also remember that safety includes mental health support for students and staff. Finally, we must continue to collaborate closely with parents and the community so that we are working together to keep our schools safe.