The first shooting in a school building in 2024 occurred on Thursday in Perry, about 80 miles southwest of Marshalltown. At Perry High School, a sixth-grade student was killed and five people were wounded in a shooting which occurred shortly before the beginning of the school day. The shooter — Dylan Butler, 17 — was pronounced dead.

Marshalltown Community School District Superintendent Theron Schutte said it is the nightmare situation for every school district. Surprise and shock hit upon learning the breaking news.

“I am saddened we have to deal with this sort of thing,” he said. “A lot of people in our district were reaching out to people in the Perry district as soon as the news broke.”

Schutte went to college with Dan Marburger, the principal who was reportedly shot.

“I am praying he and everyone else can recover and regain their health,” he said.

Shortly after the shooting, the MCSD released a message to parents, saying counselors would be made available to students who might be impacted. It is part of the social-emotional work in the district, which Schutte said is an important piece of the puzzle in preventing such tragedies.

“It is to do a better job at helping students self-regulate,” he said. “That is our strongest effort, because all school shooters have some form of mental illness.”

If the school counselors cannot help a student with mental troubles, the district has formed partnerships with outside providers, such as Center Associates.

“They provide the opportunity for services our counselors cannot do,” Schutte said. “We take great pride that we pulled this together in terms of resources, and there is a shortage of people providing the support. But it is the greatest preventive measure.”

He wants parents to know the district has a crisis plan in place, which is required by state law, and is in the early stages of implementing an enhanced safety plan. The district also follows ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate), an active shooter response training.

“[They] come into schools and provide enhanced training, further things that can be done in case there is an armed intruder in the building or classroom,” Schutte said.

Other measures taken by the district include hiring Safety and Security Coordinator Eric Weeden. Last year, Schutte said Gov. Kim Reynolds provided grants in the School Safety Initiative.

One requirement of the grant was to allow a third party to conduct safety assessments of facilities. He said Marshalltown also has a digital map in place to expedite response during emergency situations, and was the first district in Iowa to implement such a map.

One action not implemented in Marshalltown is arming teachers, such as what was approved in the Storm Lake and Cherokee school boards in 2023.

“I am against anyone having firearms on school property,” Schutte said. “The more people who have firearms, the higher chance of someone getting injured or killed. I feel comfortable with the relationship we have with, and the close proximity to, emergency services, who are within minutes of school sites.”

However, Weeden said the districts gave up on the plan to arm teachers after insurance companies refused to provide coverage if teachers were going to carry firearms.

MPD, MCSD have ‘great communication’

Another important piece in keeping students and staff in Marshalltown safe is the close relationship between the district and the Marshalltown Police Department. Chief Mike Tupper said his department works with the school district on a daily basis.

“We have great communications with the school and our number one priority is safety of the schools, the students and the staff,” he said. “We have also done a lot of training at the police department to prepare for emergency events. An active shooter event is something we work on and train for routinely.”

When he heard the news of the school shooting, his heart dropped to his stomach.

“It’s too close to home,” Tupper said. “But it’s a stark reminder that we should all talk to our kids about these situations and how they should respond and keep safe. It is something everyone should be prepared for. It’s scary.”

As a father, he said an active school shooter is something he routinely thinks about. Tupper wants residents to know the police department and the school district are prepared. Fortunately, such a scenario has not happened in Marshalltown. However, the shooting in the Perry High School proves such events can happen anywhere, anytime, for any reason, Tupper said.

“Take the time to hug your kids and have a conversation with them about what to do,” he said. “If you don’t know, give us a call and we can help with that.”

Some assistance the MPD can offer businesses, schools, churches and more include classes on how to respond to emergency situations. Tupper said the department routinely provides such training to the community.

“They are free, and we have provided a lot of them for businesses and church groups,” he said. “We are always happy to come out to help people prepare for emergency events.”

The T-R attended an MPD violent incident class in May. The instructing officer highlighted well-known school shootings — Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, Virginia Tech in 2007 and Columbine High School in 1999 — during the class. The importance of being aware of surroundings and finding a way out were stressed. Quickly moving through common violent incident stages — denial, deliberation and decision — will increase chances of survival.

Tupper said they are strong advocates for leaving the area first. When that cannot happen, barricades to prevent entry into a room should be placed. He said the last thing would be fighting.

“That is the last resort, but it’s better than hiding under a table,” Tupper said.

He said each situation is all circumstance, and it is important to have a plan in place.

“Have a plan, practice the plan, work and make the environment safe,” Tupper said. “We are happy to help with that training. Give us a call, and we will work something out.”

REPORT SYSTEM:

A new district-wide reporting system is in place — Safe & Sound. People can submit anonymous reports of possible threats to people in the district.

To report a potential threat to students, staff and buildings in the Marshalltown Community School District, the Safe & Sound app can be downloaded. Reports can also be submitted on the website, https://dps.iowa.gov/SafeandSoundIowa or by calling 800-224-6018.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.