SUPERINTENDENT STATEMENT: My Heart Goes Out to Victims in Freeman Shooting

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 09/13/2017 12:59 PM PDT

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State Superintendent Chris Reykdal

 

Reykdal: My Heart Goes Out to Victims

Today, multiple people were shot – and one was killed – at Freeman High School, southeast of Spokane. The shooter is in custody. Below is a statement from Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal on the shootings.

 

My heart goes out to the victims of the shooting, their families, and the entire community.

I contacted the district and offered any help my agency can provide. I also reached out to the school’s educational service district, and they are already bringing in resources to the Freeman schools. That includes mental health support for students and teachers. In these tragedies, having that support for students and staff as early as possible is critical.

Washington is not immune to the violence that affects many other communities across the country. This time it happened in a small town – Rockport, population less than 500. Rockport is the home of Freeman High School, the Scotties.

As a parent, this is my worst fear. I grew up in a small town, and I know that Rockport’s citizens will unite and help each other get through this.

There are many details we don’t know at this time. What I do know is that this is yet another example of senseless gun violence. It shakes our communities, but we stand with the Freeman School District and their families.

Contact

Nathan Olson
OSPI Communications Director
360-725-6015

About OSPI

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI works with the state's 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at 360-725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.