Dear MFISD Parents/Guardians:
The past two weeks have been unique, with schools and districts across the state fielding social media rumors and threats. We have received tips and concerns in Marble Falls ISD, and District administration, Police, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and other protective agencies have been involved in investigations, some of which are still ongoing.
Security is a top priority in Marble Falls ISD, and we have many measures in place to keep our students and staff safe. These security procedures have proven effective this week, and we are confident in our community's ability to work together to inform and protect Marble Falls ISD.
On Thursday evening, we were made aware of a new social media threat that included MFISD among other local school districts. The threat was reported immediately to the police, and a student was taken into custody for investigation. We have since increased police and other protective agency presence on our campuses.
Our students are accustomed to seeing administrators, School Resource Officers, and First Responders on campus. We have multiple layers of protection to ensure student safety. We conduct regular safety drills, and offer Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) opportunities, as well as having counselors available to students throughout the year. Students and parents have several ways to contact administration to report concerns. Rest assured that we have proactively implemented these measures to keep Marble Falls ISD students safe.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our students and families for using the reporting systems we have in place and taking our “See Something, Say Something” policy seriously. We have received crucial communication all week from students and families, and we could not do this without the strong partnership we have with you.
Please take this opportunity to reiterate to your student(s) the seriousness of these social media threats. If a student sees a threatening social media post, they should not forward it to friends or re-post via social media. Instead, they should report it immediately to the administration and/or the police. A student can be held criminally responsible for forwarding these posts, whether or not they originated the post or threat. We need to stop the rumor mill and the spread of social media threats. Every concern will be taken seriously and fully investigated. Students could face serious consequences for spreading posts containing threats.
Our goal is to minimize disruption for our students during these sensitive situations. We want students to feel safe and comfortable at school. Every student is here to receive a top-quality education, while being loved and inspired by our staff, and we will continue to provide the best for our students.
If you have any questions, please contact your campus principal, who will be happy to address any concerns or questions you may have.
