News Reader

In light of Thursday’s incident at DeSoto High School, DeSoto ISD has announced that the district is transitioning to clear backpacks for the remainder of the 24-25 academic year.

“The decision to implement clear backpacks is another layer of safety in district schools,” said DeSoto ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers.

Another security measure the district has implemented is that uniforms were made mandatory for scholars this year.

The measure was created in order for security personnel and staff to quickly distinguish students from visitors on campus.

“Clear backpacks, like uniforms, help us identify a concern quickly and are a deterrent to certain behaviors curbing concerns before a larger concern develops,” said DeSoto ISD Chief of Maintenance and Operations James Thomas.

Additionally, the district reinstated the policy that prohibits the use of backpacks before extended breaks and during the final two weeks of school, effective Monday, May 13, 2024.

The district will still allow small Ziploc sandwiches or pencil bags for sanitary care and or personal hygiene items. 

Heightened security measures at secondary campuses, with a particular focus on DeSoto High School (DHS) are also being implemented.

Students at DHS will undergo enhanced security protocols during transitions, including metal detector screenings and backpack searches upon arrival.

The district’s head of security emphasized the intensification of backpack inspections, with security personnel now conducting more thorough examinations of backpack contents.

The district announced the measures after a non-district student was able to get into DHS with a concealed weapon.

The alleged incident occurred on school property during an altercation with another student that was broken up by security personnel and school administrators.

“Seeing what has been happening in schools across the country served as the impetus for district leaders to come together to deliberate on this very important change on behalf of our scholars and staff members,” said Rogers.

For more information about the new security measures visit DeSotoISD.org.

The post DeSoto ISD Implements New School Safety Measures appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

The City of DeSoto unveiled a brand new water pump station Friday morning marking a significant milestone in updating its infrastructure.

The new $8.6 million Hampton Road Pumping Station provides approximately 30% of DeSoto’s water supply.

The new pumping station replaces the old structure that was constructed in 1972, which faithfully served the community for decades.

With the average lifespan of a pumping station ranging from 25 to 30 years, the replacement of the old pump station was long overdue.

“This is an amazing day, a great beautiful day and we’re so glad that the weather is cooperating for us to be here to unveil what will serve you and your children and your families and beyond for the next three decades,” said DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor.

“I’m so excited and proud to be cutting the ribbon for DeSoto’s $8.6 million pumping station,” said Proctor excitedly.

 “This was long overdue.”

The new pumping station is located at 120 W. Centre Park Boulevard in DeSoto near the city’s industrial park.

Engineering for the Hampton Road Pumping Station project began in May 2021 and was constructed by Garver LLC.

The DeSoto City Council authorized the construction in June 2022 and broke ground in August 2022.

The project was financed through a combination of bond proceeds and funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The new pumping station is a continuation of the city updating its aging infrastructure and shows a commitment to modernizing and enhancing its water distribution capabilities.

The new pump station represents a pivotal achievement outlined in the City’s 2021 Water Distribution Master Plan and marks the first major undertaking by the Public Utilities Department from that plan.

A video of the grand opening ceremony for the new pump station can be found on the City of DeSoto’s Facebook page.

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DeSoto High School was placed on lockdown Thursday after a non-district student brought a firearm on campus, according to the district.

Security personnel at the school were able to detain the suspect promptly because students were utilizing the “See Something, Say Something” initiative.

Campus security and administrators were able to find the concealed weapon as the suspect was allegedly fighting with another student.

“While district security personnel were able to quickly de-escalate a security matter and detain those involved, security personnel discovered a concealed weapon on the person of the non-district student involved,” an updated statement from DeSoto ISD read.

It is not yet clear how the suspect was able to bring the weapon into the school.

Already this year, there have been multiple shooting incidents at North Texas area schools that have left multiple people injured and at least one person deceased.

Dallas Independent School District’s Roosevelt High School was the subject of a shooting after two high school football players were injured in an apparent drive-by shooting.

The incident occurred while the students were riding home from practice with their coach.

Classes were canceled the following day “due to a credible threat.”

Wilmer Hutchins High School was placed on lockdown on April 12 after a 17-year-old suspect shot and injured another student after bringing a gun on campus.

District officials cited “human error” in how the firearm was able to be allowed on campus.

In Arlington at Bowie High School towards the end of April, police arrested 17-year-old Julian Howard and charged him with one count of murder in the death of 18-year-old Etavion Barnes.  

In response to the incident, the district is enhancing security measures for the remainder of the school year.

Increased Security

• No backpacks are allowed on campus for all secondary students starting May 13 through the end of the school year.
• Heightened security presence including increased rotation throughout the building
• DeSoto PD will increase patrol for dismissal.

Uniforms are a safety measure and help ID intruders

• All scholars are required to be in full uniform through the last day of school.
• Students who are not in uniform will be placed in a holding area and asked to contact a parent to bring a change of clothing.
• Students who are unable to obtain uniforms will be placed in ISS for the remainder of the school day

Student Work Release

• High school students on early work release will be asked to sign out of the main office entry at door one

Additional Staff and Volunteer Support

• Additional staff will push in at the high school during lunch and other times of high traffic to assist with monitoring.
• For parents and community members interested in supporting the close of a safe school year, please register to volunteer via the district’s Voly platform at Read more

Date and Time: May 09, 2024 6:00PM- 8:00PM (CST)
Category: DeSoto ISD
Location: DHS Multipupose Center 600 Eagle Drive

Families are invited to participate in a districtwide event full of active and interactive sessions to promote wellness.

On Thursday, DeSoto High School was placed on lockdown amid safety concerns following an incident involving multiple students and a non-district student, according to a statement released by the district.

The incident unfolded as a one-on-one altercation occurred on the school’s premises.

Security staff at the high school intervened and caught sight of a non-district student on school property.

Reacting in accordance with safety protocols, the campus was swiftly placed on lockdown, according to the district.

The school resource officers (SROs) and district security personnel searched the campus and located and detained all individuals involved in the altercation, including the non-district student.

After the students who were involved in the incident were detained, the school moved into a lockout.

The district said there will be extra security on the campus for the foreseeable future.

“Heightened security presence will be maintained throughout the remainder of the day and the duration of the academic year including campus at entry points around the building to prevent future recurrence of this matter, a statement alert by the district read.

“Safety is a collaborative, community effort. Thank you to our students who observed the concern and reported it to the staff for quick and immediate resolution. As a result, all students remained safe. Because of this, district safety protocols were quickly enacted significantly reducing any safety risks to students or staff,” the statement continued.

If you believe someone may pose a threat to themselves or others to an administrator, teacher, or security staff member, you can file a report anonymously.

Alternatively, you can also submit the information via email to report@stayalert.info or call or text +1.206.406.6485.

The post DeSoto High School Placed on Lockdown appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.