Parents in Klein ISD are demanding answers after three separate and unrelated gun-related incidents happened on district campuses just before students left for spring break.
The incidents, which occurred at two high schools and one elementary school, have left many families concerned about safety and calling for stronger security measures.
According to Klein ISD, the first incident happened at Klein Collins High when a student brought a gun to campus and discharged it while alone in a restroom. No one was injured. The student was detained, arrested, and is now facing felony charges.
The second incident happened at Zwink Elementary School when an unauthorized person entered the front office after a visitor exited without fully securing the door, according to the district. Officials said the person appeared to be wearing a uniform and had a holstered firearm. Staff asked for identification, but the person did not provide it and never made it past the front office. The individual was later identified, arrested, and charged with a felony.
The third incident happened at Klein High School on Friday when a student brought an unloaded handgun to campus and showed it to other students. Other students reported the weapon, and the student was detained. Klein ISD says the student has been expelled and felony charges are being pursued.
Parents speak out
Parents say the incidents are alarming and are calling for changes to keep students safe.
One parent, Lauren McCrae, said the past week has been disturbing for families in the district and that many parents want to see stronger security moving forward.
Klein ISD said in a statement that all existing safety procedures worked as designed in each case, but district leaders acknowledged that school safety must constantly be reviewed and improved.
New safety measures coming
The district says several additional safety steps will begin after spring break, including:
- Increased police presence at every school
- More frequent random metal detector screenings on an unannounced schedule
- Increased random searches using K-9 police units
Community event petition signing
A community event petition signing is being held Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in front of the Memorial Northwest Community Center. At the event, families will be signing the petition in person, reading through the demand letter, and collaboratively sharing their own stories and concerns so that we can formally append them to our letter.
Parents intend to share this document on Wednesday, March 18th, following the in-person petition signing community event.
“This is not a protest. This is not a confrontation. It is a community coming together because parents love this district and believe it can do better. We are not a threat to administration. The energy we are bringing into that room is unity, not anger, and we would love for you to be there to tell this story,” the release stated.