Lessons
learned from
a high school
shooting
A 1992 shooting at a
Northern California high
school opened district
leader’s eyes to the
aftermath of violence.
12
Leadership
As leaders of a district of eleven
thousand students in one of the poorest
counties in California, we were committed
to creating a learning environment where
each student,no matter their background,
experienced positive learning. Blessed with
a talented staff, we had instituted model
programs and were recognized for inno-
vation. As we gathered in a small meeting
room in May 1992 for another strategy ses-
sion, the wall phone rang. When answered,
a frantic voice said that there was a shooting
at Lindhurst High School. Little did we re-
alize the extent of the tragic unfolding, it’s
impact on our community, the staff and us.
Three students and a teacher were shot and
killed, more than a dozen injured and 80
held hostage for 8 hours.
For decades we have not said much about
the impact and aftermath of this evil drama;
nor have we been asked to share our experi-
ence and how it could prevent similar trag-
edies and help for others. When the school
shooting in Florida occurred this past Feb-
ruary, it was the final emotional straw. We
can no longer be silent. We must revisit our
experience, as painful as it is, and bring it
into the open in hopes of creating sensible
dialogue and reflection about school safety;
and we must add our voices to those of the
students who are so eloquently calling for
change.
LESSONS LEARNED ABOUT
SCHOOL READINESS
School Safety
Schools can no longer take safety for
granted. Each school must concentrate on
safety in multiple ways. An example of read-
iness was the Lindhurst principal who was a
stickler for organizational details: the staff
and students knew their roles and safety
procedures were practiced throughout the
school year via reminders and drills. Though
the school was ready for fires or flooding,
no one imagined a gunman would enter
the school and kill and wound students and
By Pete Pillsbury and Dick Loveall