Austin's Manor ISD Faces Outrage Over Safety Lapses After Fatal High School Stabbing

Three weeks following the fatal stabbing at Manor Senior High School, parents and community members' growing dissatisfaction over the way school safety is handled rises over the district. Tensions erupted during the Tuesday night school board meeting as attendees expressed worries about openness and preventative policies.

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The event under inquiry happened on October 29 when fellow senior Mac Brown Mbanwei killed 18-year-old student Darrin Loving by knife. The first board meeting since the tragedy, this one provided an emotional forum for those calling for justice.

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Emphasizing the gravity of the matter, community member Elmer Fisher said, "You have a dead body on you all, we don't  need you anymore." Parents who felt the death could have been prevented echoed the sentiment. Concerned parent Nick Arellano said, "Could this tragedy have been avoided if safety standards had been enforced sooner? More than most likely.

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Also targeted squarely at district leadership was criticism. "You, Dr. Sormani, and the board, and every administration person in this district has failed to keep the children of Manor ISD safe," Vanessa Ygnacio, another mom, said. The death of Darrin Loving demonstrates that.

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Acknowledging the need for change, Manor ISD Superintendent Dr. Andre Sormani said the district has to act quickly to guarantee future safety and better communication. As parents keep advocating for open action and solutions to stop next tragedies, the district's dedication to addressing safety issues will be vital.

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