Highlands High School parents are on edge after a bullet was found on campus followed by nearby gunshots that put the school into lockdown. According to Fox San Antonio, the alarming discovery was made on Tuesday when a single bullet was located in front of a first-floor classroom, raising immediate concern among families over the safety of their children.
One parent, Mary White, expressed her dismay to Fox San Antonio over the school's handling of the incident, stating that she believed the school "should have been put on lockdown immediately and they should have investigated that, like right there and there," White's unease was compounded by the San Antonio Independent School District's (SAISD) choice to not notify parents after the bullet was found, only informing them after Wednesday's lockdown due to gunshots sounded near the school, this decision has stirred up anxiety and frustration within the parent body.
The SAISD responded with a reassurance that parents are generally notified during lockdown and lockout situations, explaining, "We notify parents in instances of both lockdowns and lockouts. A lockdown is implemented when an incident or potential threat is within or near the building, and staff and students move away from sight and maintain silence." However, the explanation provided didn't alleviate the concerns of parents like White, who was reportedly told by the principal that the bullet was not a threat because "It must have fallen out of a student's pocket or out of their backpack."
Amid the fears stirred by these events, parents argue that more stringent security measures should be considered, Jenni Bonilla, another parent, suggested the need for greater precautions, telling Fox San Antonio, "I think there should be more control as students enter the building when it comes to checking backpacks," her statement reflects a deep-seated worry that not enough is being done to protect the kids within the school’s walls, stating "It doesn’t stop alarming me or worrying me that being inside an educational institute, her life could be at risk."
