Commitment to Student Safety

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Dear LBUSD Community,

The opening of this school year, after a year and a half of most LBUSD students being at home for school, has been filled with many highs and some absolute lows. One of those lows occurred yesterday afternoon when an LBUSD school safety officer discharged his duty weapon while responding to an altercation at the corner of Spring Street and Palo Verde Avenue. This incident has greatly impacted our school district community, and we are collectively holding the shooting victim in our thoughts.

In LBUSD, we take the health and safety of our staff and students seriously. No matter the role in which one serves, our employees know that student and staff safety is the foundation of our day to day work. While yesterday’s incident may make some of you question your student’s sense of safety, we will continue to work hard to ensure that you don’t have to question our commitment. For any student who has been impacted by this incident, we recommend they seek support through their school counselor. 

Our school safety officers are hired to protect the physical safety of our staff and students on and around campuses. They are highly trained and held accountable to the established standards in their profession. Those standards will be used to assess the incident that occurred yesterday. 

Like many of you, my heart is heavy today. And, with my heavy heart, I will continue to stand strong with our Long Beach family to work day-in and day-out to help all of our students feel safe, seen, heard and supported in their schools and in our community. 

With respect,
Jill

Jill A. Baker, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools