Message from Royal Superintendent Rick Kershner: Incident Update

October 5, 2024

Good morning,

As you may be aware, a threat was posted online regarding a potential incident on October 5. The individuals have been identified and appropriate actions are being taken to address the incident. Royal ISD commends those who alerted staff to the threat. 

RHS parents were notified on October 3 that the district was aware of the threat and had investigated and addressed the situation. A follow up message was sent to RHS parents on October 4. The incident ONLY involved Royal High School. 

We want to assure the community that the safety and security of our students is our number one priority. Additional security has been added at all RISD campuses out of an abundance of caution. We ensured that entry points at all campuses were secured through active monitoring and utilization of ID verification as required for the main entrance. October 5, 2023 is a regular instructional day and all student events will take place as scheduled. 

Please know, if there is ever a credible concern for student safety, the District and campus administration will always notify parents at the affected campus(es). Misinformation spreads rapidly on social media. Parents are always encouraged to speak with campus leadership whenever you have questions about your student or campus, as this is always the best way to ensure you receive factual information. 

As a reminder, students, staff and community play an important role in keeping our schools safe by reporting potential threats or safety issues. In addition to reporting information to school or law enforcement officials, students and parents can also utilize the Royal ISD “StopIt” link to anonymously report tips. We encourage parents to help our students understand the serious implications that can result from inappropriate texting and social media posts. If your child is facing struggles, our counseling team, culture & well-being team, and staff are always available to assist and provide support.

With your help, we can effectively continue our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students.

Ricker Kershner, Royal ISD Superintendent