The Manor ISD Board of Trustees met with a community that was filled with grief and demands for change amid the tragic backdrop of a recent incident at Manor Senior High School. In a contentious board meeting, parents and former trustees joined the fray to challenge the district’s approach to school safety. A deep-seated mistrust was revealed by Manor ISD parent Vanessa Ygnacio, who said, “I cannot even begin to describe how I feel, but I must find words to express my feelings,” according to KVUE. “The death of Darrin Loving proves that, as a parent, I have lost all faith in the school and in the district.”
Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani responded to the outcry by providing an update on district safety improvements, including efforts to restrict school entry points, increase patrols, and tow unauthorized vehicles from school property. This directive reflects the district’s intention to strengthen its defenses against future incidents. On October 29, the Manor Police reported that 18-year-old Mac Brown Mbanwei had stabbed his classmate, Darrin Loving, at the school. Dr. Sormani acknowledged the tragic fact and said it made him “sick to his stomach,” a sentiment he expressed in a statement that KVUE was able to obtain.
As Nick Arellano reflected in agony, “could this tragedy have been avoided if safety protocols had been enacted sooner? ” The hostile environment of the board meeting highlighted an unavoidable reality for many parents: that early preventive measures might have prevented the death of a near-graduate. As reported by CBS Austin, “More than likely,” a bitter feeling reverberated throughout a process characterized by acrimonious testimony and scathing remarks directed at the Manor ISD leadership.
The district made progress in addressing its previous inadequacies by announcing intentions to hire more metal detectors and law enforcement personnel in schools.According to Dr. Sormani, “there is a shortage of sworn peace officers all across the state of Texas yet we continue to hire, we got another sworn officer coming in and we have six cadets who will be working towards being full police officers over time.” According to another statement obtained by KVUE, despite these impending changes, former Manor ISD Trustee Elmer Fisher’s cry summed up the general expectation, “Get it right so we don’t affect children’s lives,” as he pleaded for decisive action. In addition, Manor ISD’s commitment goes beyond security equipment and staff to include character education programs that aim to foster nonviolent conflict resolution among students, which may be a proactive step toward creating a safer, more compassionate campus environment.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply