In a push to revamp its emergency response plan, the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD) is setting up subcommittees dedicated to implementing recommendations from a Department of Justice (DOJ) report. This effort follows a DOJ report issued on January 18, which highlighted significant flaws in the coordination and response to the tragic school shooting on May 24, 2022, where 21 individuals lost their lives. Superintendent Ashley Chohlis has been proactive in her approach, inviting leaders from several departments to dive into the specifics of the DOJ's guidance for the district.
Chohlis, who began her term with the district last fall, revealed that selected administrators are required to complete incident command training provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to Fox San Antonio, "Our goal will be to work through appropriate UCISD recommendations by subcommittee and systemically be putting best practice measures in place for the district," Superintendent Chohlis said. Furthermore, a report from the Uvalde Leader News indicates that the school district also intends to initiate quarterly public school safety meetings, the first of which is scheduled for 2 p.m. on February 22.
Among other security considerations, the district is looking into the recommendations from three school security audits. The audits have sparked an anticipated ban on personal appliances such as coffee makers and microwaves within teacher work areas. The district is also considering the possibility of granting additional staff mental health days to support the wellbeing of its employees, according to the information gathered by the Uvalde Leader News. The subcommittees will convene before each quarterly school safety meeting to ensure a cohesive strategy is in place and to establish regular communication channels among members.
Chohlis is forming a commanding joint committee to involve her and chiefs of local agencies like the Uvalde Police Department and Uvalde County Sheriff's Office. Superintendent Chohlis told Uvalde Leader News that she has already discussed this plan with Sheriff Ruben Nolasco. The district's police chief, Joshua Gutierrez, will lead an operations subcommittee aiming to be the "boots on the ground" during emergency responses, providing a more immediate and active on-site presence during future crises.
