Comal ISD plans to form a security task force in the wake of a March 30 school shooting at Bulverde’s Hill Country College Preparatory High School (HCCPHS).
A 15-year-old student upset about his grades allegedly shot and wounded a teacher before killing himself in the same classroom.
The teacher was released from the hospital last week.
In a video posted on social media Tuesday, Supt. John Chapman said the task force will include parents, staff and community members who live within district boundaries.
“This will be a community-driven series of meetings that will gather input, examine our current practices, and provide meaningful recommendations to our district safety-and-security committee to inform their ongoing work,” he said.
“This is not a short-term fix.”
Counseling services are still available to students and staff.
“We will be sharing information separately with the affected families about the continued opportunities for support next week,” he said.
He also doubled down on the district’s refusal to release the names of the student and teacher involved in the shooting.
The district will not provide any further details about the shooting due to the ongoing investigation by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office.
The student’s identity is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), federal law that does not expire with the death of a minor, he said.
The teacher’s privacy protections are included in her employment file.
“What I can tell you is that she continues to recover and she is surrounded by the love of this community every single day,” he said.
Comal County District Attorney’s Office this week filed a brief with the state Attorney General’s Office requesting clarification on privacy laws that protect students’ identities.
In an email to parents and guardians Monday, school officials said HCCPHS on Friday will conduct a state-mandated “hold” drill followed by an April evacuation drill.
To avoid “unnecessary anxiety” among students and staff, announcements about the drill will be made over the school’s PA system rather than actual alarms.
There is no need to know the names of the student or the teacher. I live up the street from where this occurred. Everyone knows the name of the student and the teacher. It’s no secret out here. We are all saddened by this. There’s no need for the whole city to be involved this. It is personal and private. Our community is grieving.