The Uvalde school district has placed Principal Mandy Gutierrez of Robb Elementary School on leave after reportedly failing to fix the broken locks on campus.
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A report filed by the committee revealed that systemic failures and poor leadership led to the tragic shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers in May. Additionally, Guiterrez and other school staff were aware that the lock in room 111, where the victims were killed, did not work properly but failed to fix the issue. ‘Robb Elementary had a culture of noncompliance with safety policies requiring doors to be kept locked, which turned out to be fatal. If the door to Room 111 had been locked, the attacker likely would have been slowed for some time,’ the report said.
Gutierrez is the second Uvalde employee to be placed on leave due to the school shooting reported by Metro UK. The school district police chief, Pete Arrendondo, was suspended in June for failing to instruct police to stop the gunman once he was barricaded in the classroom.
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More outcry from the public emerged after leaked footage showed police officers remaining in the school’s hallway while the shooting occurred in room 111. The shooter entered the school through an unlocked door before officers arrived on campus.
A new look at police response shown in security footage from inside Robb Elementary School in #Uvalde, Texas. pic.twitter.com/brKFalgV6o
— Brut America (@brutamerica) July 14, 2022
Additionally, the school board approved a new measure on Monday, where the school year will start on September 6th, as classrooms and other areas will be replaced. The school building is also scheduled to be demolished after Mayor Don McLaughlin announced it in June.
‘My understanding — I had a discussion with the superintendent — that school will be demolished. We could never ask a child to go back, or a teacher to go back into that school ever.’
Social media responds to the school board’s decision
The decision led to further criticism as many social media users believe Uvalde Police should be held accountable for their actions during the shooting instead of suspending the school’s principal over a lock.
Uvalde lost lives and a first year principal to gun violence and police failure. Putting blame on the first year principal and not a failed system, is probably the saddest thing I’ve heard in my life. But this is how capitalists roll.
— Edward Marrs (@marrs_edward) July 26, 2022
Blaming the principal in Uvalde is like blaming the victim.
— Edward Marrs (@marrs_edward) July 26, 2022
The principal of Robb Elementary, in Uvalde has been suspended. Because she knew of security problems at the school. WHAT DOES THAT MATTER IN THIS SITUATION?! Those issues DID NOT prevent cops from doing their duty. This is another excuse to blame anyone but police. 😡
— GingerSpice❄️💙 (@thedesertginger) July 26, 2022
Uvalde. We are willing to sacrifice children then blame Principals and still not hold law enforcement accountable. Sad times in the USA.
— Tao Moran (@TaoMoran) July 27, 2022