Safe School Environment A Top Priority, MOCO Superintendent Says

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The day after Montgomery County Police determined a threat made against Winston Churchill High School was not credible, Superintendent Monifa McKnight sent a letter to families emphasizing the district's commitment to safety in its buildings.

"Violence has become more frequent in today’s society, even in schools, but I want you to understand how important safety is to me and to everyone in MCPS," said McKnight in the letter.

Bethesda Beat reported the threat made against Winston Churchill High School in Potomac on May 29 was from a student who is out of state and will not return to school for the rest of the year.

The threat, and McKnight's letter, came just days after an 18-year-old shot and killed 21 people, including 19 children, at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The shooting has sparked fierce debate about gun control and safety in schools in the United States.

McKnight outlined some of the Montgomery County Public Schools safety procedures in her letter, including practicing lockdown and shelter-in-place, secure vestibules and visitor sign-in requirements, and security staff training.

"Let me be clear; the expectation in MCPS is that all exterior doors are locked, at all times," said McKnight. "It is important to also understand that the majority of our schools have security vestibules through which any visitor must enter the building."

The Justice Department is investigating the Uvalde law enforcement response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School, as people questioned how long officers waited to go into the school building and confront the shooter, Politico reported.

"We have since reaffirmed with Montgomery County Police that their policy and training regarding an active shooter situation is that the first responding officer(s) would immediately move to preserve life," said McKnight in her letter to the community. "This is accomplished by actively engaging any suspect who may demonstrate imminent harm to any student or staff member inside or outside any school in Montgomery County."

McKnight asked that anyone who sees or hears a threat to school safety report it, whether it's made in person or online.

"A safe school environment has always been and continues to be a priority for MCPS," McKnight wrote. "Students and staff must feel safe and cared for physically and emotionally in order to be able to teach and learn at high levels."

Read the full letter from Superintendent Monifa McKnight.