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Coupland ISD Superintendent Takes Responsibility For Failing Safety Standards


On Monday, a statewide audit found dozens of Texas school districts are not in compliance with safety standards. Coupland Independent School District in Williamson County was one of 38 districts that did not submit an emergency plan to the Texas Attorney General’s office.

Copeland ISD Superintendent Gary Chandler said the school has had their current plan in place for three years, and he takes full responsibility for not submitting the audit. He said CISD has around 100 students, and it is his responsibility to watch over several areas, which he said is the reason the emergency plan was not submitted and fell through the cracks.

"It was an oversight. It wasn't because I wanted to say to the attorney general ‘No I don't want to do it,’” Chandler said. "I'm the only administrator, I'm the principal, I'm the superintendent, and there are a lot of duties for me. It just was overlooked.”

Chandler said he does not think failing to turn in the safety plan put students at risk. He said whether the district submits a plan or not they still have one in place, and said the district practices drills monthly.

Chandler said he previously submitted the plan to the emergency coordinator for Williamson County which gave him the stamp of approval, and Chandler said he thought that was sufficient.

"I think our kids have been safe,” Chandler said. “We've got the plan, we have done drills, and everybody understands the importance of this, so it's not that I didn't think it was important."

Chandler said CISD plans to have the audit submitted by the end of the holidays.

By Cassie Gallo