Early Friday afternoon, news broke that at least eight people had been killed at a shooting at Santa Fe High School southwest of Houston, according to Community Impact Newspaper media partners ABC 13 Eyewitness News.

Klein ISD posted a notice on its website on Friday afternoon stating that KISD counselors are prepared to support students and its police department remains vigilant.

Located 60 miles from the area where the shooting took place today, both Spring and Klein ISDs have police departments responsible for law enforcement on district property and at district-sponsored events.

KISD will also send a letter to parents on Friday, said Judy Rimato, KISD associate superintendent of communications and planning.

"We are drafting a letter for parents and staff that will go out later today," Rimato said. "Anytime a tragedy like this occurs, we get some parent questions. We are answering their specific questions and directing them to our Keep Klein Safe page on the district website."

KISD Superintendent Bret Champion said the district continues to focus on student safety.

"We are just heartbroken," Champion said. "Parents send us their most precious beings, and their safety is always on our mind every day. So we just grieve and then at the same time our schools remain vigilant and continue to work to ensure that safety remains at the forefront of everyone’s mind."



Spring ISD released a statement Friday afternoon expressing its condolences for the victims and support for local students and families.

"We are deeply saddened by the recent shooting at Santa Fe ISD and are praying for all those affected," according to the statement. "We want to reassure our families that the safety and security of our students, employees and visitors is our highest priority. An operational plan is already in place for the remainder of the school year, and we will continue to be vigilant and on high alert."

The district encouraged residents to report suspicious activity to the SISD Police Department at 281-891-6911.

Additional safety and security measures are included in projects that both districts have planned. At Monday night's board of trustees meeting, KISD Chief Financial Officer Dan Schaefer said the district will prioritize several safety items if the district's June 16 tax ratification election is successful. Those items include additional police officers, equipment, secure vestibules, entrance screening technology and perimeter fencing. Funds from the 2015 bonds election are slated to pay for several other security projects, according to the KISD website.

KISD has created a safety page on its its website specifically addressing security issues in its schools. The page includes links for parents to ask questions about safety, submit comments and report threats. The page also answers some frequently asked questions such as how the district's access control system works and its stance on arming teachers.

SISD has included $18 million in the $330 million bond approved by voters in 2016 for safety and security items. Those include a district-wide surveillance system, improvements and additions to police vehicles and integrated surveillance and alarm systems, the district has stated.

Friday's shooting also involved response at the county level, with Harris County Sheriff's Office assisting at the scene in Santa Fe.

HSCO has posted updates throughout the day on its Twitter page.