Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Message from the Superintendent June 19, 2018

June 19, 2018

Message from the Superintendent

Recently Governor Abbott released his School and Firearm Safety Plan which address improvements and upgrades to school safety in the light of the recent school shooting at Santa Fe High School. This plan is a public document and easily available on the internet.

Tidehaven ISD held a board workshop with the Board of Trustees on Monday, June 11, 2018, to review Governor Abbott’s plan. We discussed ways to improve school security and safety for Tidehaven ISD students and staff. There will be changes to our facilities and procedures where we find appropriate.

One specific change is as follows:

Mesh or clear backpacks will be required for the 2018-2019 school year. This will allow everyone to see what is contained or carried in each backpack. We must be able to see through the mesh or clear backpack to improve our security. Acceptable colors are any solid colors. Please no print on the mesh. This interferes with our ability to see into the backpack. These clear or mesh backpacks are easily available on Amazon starting at $14.99.

We are currently reviewing our facilities as well as our procedures. We will address and respond to security situations on our campuses as needed. We will be making changes for next year. Those changes have not been finalized, but we will share them with the parents and students prior to the start of school.

Tidehaven ISD takes the safety and security of our students and staff very seriously. We are receptive to Governor Abbott’s plan. We are partnering with the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office, Bay City Police Department, and the Lower Colorado River Authority in our efforts to improve safety and security for everyone.

Tidehaven ISD sincerely appreciates the support of our parents and students as we seek ways to improve safety and security for everyone.

For the kids,

Andrew Seigrist