FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Contact: 
James Minichello 

703-875-0723
703-774-6953 (cell) 
jminichello@aasa.org

Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 15, 2018 – Today, Daniel A. Domenech, executive director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, provided the following statement in response to the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

“We are, once more, saddened and shocked by the school shooting that occurred yesterday in a Broward County High School. 

 “According to the Washington Post we are averaging one school shooting per week this year. Since 2000, there have been 130 shootings resulting in 250 student and teacher deaths. Subsequent to the Sandy Hook shooting, the AASA Governing Board in July 2013 adopted a Position Paper on School Safety that says: ‘If we hope to prevent future tragedies at schools, we must comprehensively address both school safety and gun safety. Increased mental health services, community supports for youth, and new attitudes about violence in our entertainment must all be part of this approach. We must be willing to spend the time and resources necessary to make sustainable changes. AASA hopes that school leaders find ways of enhancing their current school safety procedures as outlined above, but we know federal funding is critical to ensuring schools remain the safest place for children to be.’ 

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims in Parkland, Fla. as we continue to push our elected officials to do what is right and necessary to stop this senseless violence affecting our children and staff.”
 
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About AASA

AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.