Plumbing 
Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District officials have discussed how lockdowns and fire drills will be handled during the new school year.
During the school board meeting held July 25, UCISD Superintendent Hal Harrell said the district is evaluating how to gently yet effectively implement lockdowns and drills without causing great concern.
“The protocol will be set up a little different,” Harrell said. “The first thing we came up with is it being an all announced walk-through drill. With very little alarms, alerts, things of that nature, to just begin the practice of the movement through the campus.”
Trustee Javier Flores said he was worried about about alarms being a trigger for those students who are in counseling as a result of the May 24 tragedy at Robb Elementary, and trustee Laura Perez also asked if the district could avoid alarms.
She asked if staff can practice how to inform others about lockdowns/ drills without the use of an alarm, in an effort to ease the students into the process and not terrify them or the staff.
Harrell agreed, and said they would use the intercom system and gentle voices for students inside the buildings and communicate via walkie-talkies for those on the playground or outside.
Harrell said he is also waiting on new safety guidelines from the Texas Education Agency.
“That will provide direction and guidance for us as we embed those protocols,” Harrell said.
