by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

01-17-25

Top Photo by J. Anson Bills

A suspicious 911 phone call prompted Uvalde CISD to place Uvalde High and Morales Junior High Schools on Hold status as law enforcement responded to a potential threat. LaPryor ISD placed their campuses on in Secure status as a result of the call.

A student of either Uvalde High School or Morales Junior High posted a picture on social media Thursday afternoon of an officer with a shotgun in a school’s hallway with the caption, “Hell Yeah”

Uvalde County Constable Emmanuel Zamora posted on his Facebook page that a large police presence was observed at 1:45PM.

Ther following timeline was also posted by Zamora:

Press Release from the Uvalde Police Department

  Uvalde, TX – August 12, 2024 – The Uvalde Police Department, in collaboration with the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) Police Department, held a productive meeting last week to plan and prepare for the upcoming school year. This collaborative effort is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of students, staff, and the broader Uvalde community.

As part of our preparations, the Uvalde Police Department, alongside Uvalde EMS and Alamo Area Ambulance, conducted a comprehensive walk-through of Sacred Heart Catholic School. This walk-through allowed officers and emergency responders to familiarize themselves with the layout of the school, enhancing our ability to respond effectively to any potential emergencies.

In addition to the walk-through, the Uvalde Police Department actively participated in a safety drill at Sacred Heart Catholic School on Friday, August 9, 2024. This drill was a valuable opportunity to practice our coordinated response efforts and to ensure that both school personnel and law enforcement are well-prepared for the new school year.

To maintain this level of preparedness, the Uvalde Police Department will be meeting with the Uvalde CISD Police Department bi-weekly throughout the school year. These regular meetings will focus on ongoing safety initiatives, coordination, and response planning.

We want to reassure the community that the safety of our students remains our top priority. The Uvalde Police Department will continue to work closely with Uvalde CISD Police Department, local schools, and emergency medical services to maintain a secure learning environment.

Press Release from Uvalde CISD

Uvalde CISD Chief of Police Joshua Gutierrez has officially submitted his resignation, which will be presented for Board approval at the School Board Meeting on June 17. Contingent on Board approval, Chief Gutierrez’s last day of employment will be June 26, 2024, which is the fulfillment of the 2023-2024 contract.

The district has already begun the search process to fill the position of Chief of Police, with the job posting available for prospective candidates. We are committed to finding a successor who will continue to uphold the standards of safety and security that our school community deserves.

We thank Chief Gutierrez for his dedicated leadership and guidance in reestablishing the Uvalde CISD Police Department. His contributions have been instrumental in enhancing the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and school community. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Uvalde CISD elementary students gathered at the John H. Harrell Auditorium Monday morning, December 19th for an upbeat, party type program promoting situational awareness and what to do in case of an emergency.

According to the Parol Stories website it states: Patrol Stories INC. is a nonprofit organization that fosters positive interactions and experiences between children and Law Enforcement to promote student safety both at school and at home. Patrol Stories focus is to build a strong relationship between students and First Responders, while creating a new positive step forward in public safety education.

Miss Texas 2023 Ellie Breaux joined Parol Stories cast of characters as part of it’s Uvalde program.

At the end the of the program the Uvalde CISD police officers and two Texas DPS officers joined the cast for the show’s fanale.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian; Photo credit: Robinson

Rotary Club of Uvalde President Debra McDonald stands with Superintendent Gary Patterson following the club’s weekly meeting where Patterson spoke last week.

   Uvalde CISD Superintendent Gary Patterson spoke at last week’s Rotary Club of Uvalde weekly noon meeting, Thursday, August 31st at the Uvalde Country Club and provided an update on school security, online threats, the new school facility and other topics related to the district. Near the end of his informal presentation to attending Rotarians, he praised returning Uvalde CISD teachers who have stuck with the district through the past year school year and continued to teach this school year as having a lot of grit and determination. He also praised the district’s police officers.

  During his opening remarks he stated he is hopeful that the district’s school safety and projects will be almost complete by the first part of next year.

 “From fencing, to cameras, to a new police force, to the DPS officers that are assisting us, to enhanced fiber networks and  a security operations center, we have done a lot in that area.” Patterson said  He continued by saying that the district has spent about $7 million dollars. He explained nearly 99% of that money has been from special appropriations, grants and gifts citing the $1 million dollars from the Los Vegas Raiders as one of the very first gifts.

  He went on to say the Commissioner’s office has approved his request for $3 1/2 million dollars to finish the projects that we have started.

  Patterson said there is still additional fencing and gates that still need to be installed at Batesville, Dalton and Flores Elementary. 

 A new security project that is a priority for the district is constructing secure vestibules at all campuses which will cost approximately $2 million dollars. He said that in this day and age, new levels of security are needed. 

Other topics Patterson has touched upon included: 

•  Five to six armed officers at every campus
•  All exterior doors on the district’s buildings will be outfitted with a sensor.

   Patterson said, If for some reason if that door does not come back in a locked position, the sensor will send a message to the principal’s office and the security operations center. “When the sensors are in place that will be a valuable asset to us,” he said.

• Social media monitoring systems

  As far as online security threats, Patterson said the District is dealing with two or more a week. He explained that the online threats which are posted online can come from anywhere in the world and all are taken seriously. Also he said the district works with the FBI on these threats to determine if they are credible.

                                                                                                                                                   The New School Facility 

  Patteron said the district is  zeroing in on a groundbreaking date. We are looking at sometime in mid-October for a groundbreaking date.  Security and technology for the school will be cutting-edge.

  He explained the taxpayers in Uvalde will not be out one cent for this 50- 60 million dollar structure that will be funded solely by donations from the State of Texas, the HEB Foundation and many other donations large and small.  HEB and its foundations have donated 12-13 million dollars. 

                                                                                                                                             New Superintendent Search Process

  Patterson stated that the school board has approved going forward with the search process for a new Superintendent. He explained that the search process is a 90 to 120 day process. A decision by the board on a finalist would occur in October or November. He said, due to the process and a waiting period required by law, a new superintendent would not likely be on board until after the holidays at the end of this year. 

“My time is winding down.” Patterson said. 

Press Release by Uvalde CISD: File Photo by Michael Robinson

The Uvalde CISD Police Department participated in approximately 36 Security and Emergency Training hours. Local law enforcement agencies were invited to attend. However, there were conflicts in scheduling. All Uvalde CISD Police Officers, including existing officers and new hires, participated in the training.

The department received weapons training, including handguns and AR training. In addition, the department participated in Active Shooter Training, hostage recognition, rescue training, and entry and confrontation exercises in closed areas, such as classrooms, and open spaces, such as cafeterias and courtyards. The department also briefed in the Security Operations Center, which is currently up and running.

In addition, the department participated in simulated arms entry, including role-playing and simulated ammunition use. The training they receive will prepare them for almost any job-related situation. In addition, the team is building trust and confidence in working together.

Previously, the department participated in the ALERRT AIRR training in Knippa, which included first responders from surrounding agencies. Fire, EMS, UPD, and the Uvalde Sheriff’s Department participated in this collaborative training.

In August, the Uvalde CISD Police Department will host an ALERRT Active Shooter train-the-trainer certification course that is open to surrounding law enforcement agencies. Uvalde CISD Police Officers will continue ongoing Security and Emergency Training throughout the upcoming school year.

The Uvalde CISD Police Department has hired three additional police officers; Officer Xanthe Lara, Officer Jennifer Perez, and Officer Fernanda Rodriguez, bringing the total number of Uvalde CISD Officers to eight.

Headline Picture Credit: Jennifer Gilliland

Report By Jennifer Gilliland- At approximately noon today several UCISD students participated in a walk out. The event was organized by a group of high school students determined to make changes regarding gun laws as well as more safety measures in our school. The students ‘walked from the high school, junior high, and Uvalde Elementary down Getty to the Plaza where they peacefully protested till 5 PM then walked to Robb. 

 Report by Michael Robinson: The Uvalde CISD School District sent out a statement to parents early Wednesday morning setting the rules and parameters for allowing students to participate in the larger National Student Walkout Protesting Gun Violence.  

  According to the statement, the district would allow for its students to demonstrate outside within the confines of the school grounds from Noon to 1 PM. At noon,however,  the students started walking off the Morales Jr. High and Uvalde High School campuses and eventually climbed over fences and through the Uvalde High School Tennis court area to take their signs and actually walk beyond school grounds. About 75 to 100 students marched from the campuses towards the Uvalde Downtown area where they assembled on the Uvalde Downtown Plaza at 1 PM. 

  School District Police Chief Josh Gutierrez and another Uvalde CID Resource officer followed the students. According to Diana Olvedo-Karau who spoke with Gutierrez. She was told by Gutierrez that he followed the students to ensure their safety off campus.