October 17, 2001

TO THE SUPERINTENDENT ADDRESSED:

Recent events in our country should serve as a reminder to Texas school officials that safety within our schools must be of the highest priority. While threats of terrorism have not yet been focused on our schools, now is the time for superintendents and principals to review plans for dealing with such events should they occur. All Texas schools should have in place a plan or process to implement corrective action should an unsafe situation occur. Such plans may or may not have included provisions for dealing with the threat of bio-terrorism. In any event, I would encourage you to give thoughtful consideration to such matters as:

• The sorting and delivery of mail;
• Handling of suspicious pieces of mail;
• Disseminating information quickly and accurately to parents and teachers, and;
• Evacuating a school should authorities deem it prudent.

While there is no need to panic or raise alarm among our parents, students, teachers, or administrators, I do feel that decision makers and leaders need to be thinking about the best ways we can provide safe environments for our students and educators while at the same time going about the business of educating our children. I strongly encourage you to meet with your staff for the purpose of reviewing your plans. I would also encourage you to communicate with your parents that such plans are in place, while assuring them that there is no immediate cause for alarm.

I have the greatest confidence in our Texas educators and I know that you will do all that you can to keep our children and our employees safe.

Sincerely,

Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education