TYLER, TX (KLTV) -
Since Friday's shooting, schools across the state have been reviewing their emergency operation plans, after Gov. Rick Perry asked them to do so.
Flags at schools in Longview and Tyler flew at half-staff today in remembrance of the victims of Friday's Connecticut school shooting.
Jody Clements, Longview ISD's assistant superintendent, is a dad. He says he understands parents' concerns about school safety.
"We want to ensure our parents that we are doing everything we can, that we've taken it seriously and the state of Texas and Gov. Perry has asked us to review, we've done that. We've updated and we've got a plan that's probably as fresh as it can be," Clements says.
According to Clements, Longview ISD approved new safety and emergency procedures last Monday.
"We've spent the entire first semester having every campus review and update their emergency plans," says Clements.
Clements also does personal safety checks at his schools.
"I do what we call an intruder inspection. I show up on campus unannounced, I don't tell anybody I'm there, and I walk around and check doors and try to make sure that things are secure," says Clements.
Tyler ISD says they also do regular safety checks and are responding to the Governor's call.
"The most important thing that we're going to do immediately is visit with our partners in law enforcement agencies and just see what the best practice are and how we can continue to implement those," says Dawn Parnell, Tyler ISD's communication director.
The district is also sending home a letter with Tyler ISD students discussing their school's emergency preparedness.
"It's a very fluid process, it's ever-changing. We're just very conscientious of the fact that we want to stay abreast of all the best and most practical ways to implement safety," Parnell says.
The Texas School Safety Center says 78 Texas school districts have either failed to submit safety audits or are not in full compliance with the law.
Copyright 2012 KLTV. All rights reserved.
