Keep Eanes Informed                                                                                               

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From: susan bushart [mailto:sbushart@austin.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 5:01 PM
To: nwellman@eanes.k12.tx.us; trustees@eanes.k12.tx.us
Subject: response from TEA to Eanes Pride Survey results re: concealed weapons

September 24, 2008

TO: Eanes Superintendent Nola Wellman, Eanes ISD Board of Trustees

FROM: Susan Bushart

RE: Concealed weapons: Pride Survey Results

To date, I have not received a response from Eanes ISD leadership to my correspondence dated July 8, 2008 expressing concern about concealed guns brought to our high school and middle school campuses. The issue of campus security, concealed guns and other weapons brought to school by students, has not been placed on the school board agenda for discussion. To my knowledge, no meetings with the community to discuss these findings have been scheduled. As a result of your apparent indifference to the concerns presented, I sought assistance from the Texas Education Agency in addressing the results of the Eanes Pride Survey.  I am forwarding their response for your consideration, with the continuing hope that you will pay special attention to their opinions and offers to help. I encourage you to choose a course of action that will make these safety concerns a district priority for public review, discussion, and the development of a meaningful plan to increase campus security. 

Sincerely,

Susan Bushart

402 Inwood Road

Austin, Texas 78746 

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Smith, Leslie" <Leslie.Smith@tea.state.tx.us>

Date: September 17, 2008 4:40:39 PM CDT

To: "susan bushart" <sbushart@austin.rr.com>

Cc: "Harris-Lawrence, Julie" <Julie.Harris-Lawrence@tea.state.tx.us>

Subject: Eanes ISD Student Survey

Susan,

I received your message about the concerns you have related to the published results of the Eanes ISD student survey referred to below.  The reported results are a serious concern and certainly would be important information for the school district staff and school board to consider in planning for improving and implementing new procedures that would impact the over all school safety program to protect staff and student from violence while at school.  The concerns you have expressed are reasonable and appropriate. It is important to know that there have not been any serious violent gun situations in Texas schools that have resulted in any harm to staff or students in recent times. Current Federal and State laws firmly provide protection of staff and students from fire arms, weapons, bombs, multi-hazard emergencies and violence at school. Local school boards have authority to establish any additional policy and take any measures necessary to protect staff and students while at school.

The Texas Education Agency has worked with other State agencies and the Governor’s office to establish even more assurances that school safety and health are top priorities while maintaining on going communications with schools and communities as to how TEA can better contribute to school safety concerns.

I do not know of any hearings or community meeting associated with the Eanes Independent School District student survey. The Texas Education Agency is glad to support and assist Texas independent school district school boards and staff in acquiring information and training to promote safer schools.

Contact me if you have questions about this message or other questions about education, 5120-463-9982.

Regards,
Leslie Smith; Program Specialist

TEC Chapter 37/Safe Schools

Leslie Smith

Program Specialist

Texas Education Agency

1701 North Congress Ave.

Austin, Texas 78701

September 11, 2008

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am a taxpayer and parent of four students who have attended public schools in the Eanes Independent School District.  Recently, I had the opportunity to review the results from the Pride Survey administered to approximately 20% of the students on the high school and middle school campuses.  I was alarmed to see documents indicating 17 students at Westlake High School, and an additional 8 middle school students reported bringing concealed guns to their campus.  The documents I am referring to can be found at http://www.keepeanesinformed.com/guns_on_eanes_isd_campuses.htm

On July 8, 2008, I contacted the Eanes Superintendent Nola Wellman and Eanes Board of Trustees with my questions and concerns about these startling statistics. I have included a copy of this correspondence for your review attached to the bottom of this letter.  To date, I have not received a response, nor has this item been placed on the school board agenda for consideration. Subsequent to the gravity of these concerns as they relate to the safety of the students attending schools in Eanes ISD, and the apparent lack of attention to this matter as illustrated by the district leadership's lack of response, I am contacting you for assistance. It is my understanding that  you are the DAEP Program Specialist at Texas Education Agency. What if any plans for action to address the presence of concealed guns brought by students to Texas public schools, have been developed by state and/or local public school agencies?  Will there be any opportunities in the near future for public hearings and testimony relating to this issue and if so, could you please provide me with the date, location and time of those hearings?

I appreciate any assistance you can provide in responding to my concerns.

Sincerely,

Susan Bushart

402 Inwood Road

Austin, Texas 78746

(512)329-6708

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