Calabasas Superintendent Addresses Texas Shooting, Safety Protocol

CALABASAS, CA — Superintendent Dan Stepenosky reminded parents of the Las Virgenes Unified School District's safety measures following Tuesday's school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

At least 19 children and two adults were killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday, according to The Texas Tribune. The shooting sent shockwaves across the nation, marking the second-deadliest shooting at an elementary, middle or high school since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, according to The New York Times.

"I have no words for the heartbreak I’m feeling as I read updates from the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Texas. Coming together during the toughest of times is what has been our strength as a community and country and we need that more than ever now," Stepenosky said in a note to the district community.

The district has significantly invested in school safety enhancements in recent years, Stepenosky said. The district installed 200 additional cameras to nearly double the amount of cameras districtwide, increased mental health services and underwent a safety review by the National School Safety Center.

Even still, the Board of Education began considering a $4.5 million security and fire enhancement project for the district using a bond. The district provides "Active Shooter" trainings for staff, according to Stepenosky. To see a full list of recent security efforts on behalf of the district, check out this document.

"We will continue to work together, support one another, and get through challenging circumstances," Stepenosky said.

Firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for children age 19 and under in 2020, according to The New England Journal of Medicine. 2020 was the first year gun violence surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death in this age group.

Over 200 schools across the country walked out of their classrooms Thursday to protest gun violence.