Hillsboro School District has invested roughly $21.6 million in security infrastructure across its campuses. Superintendent Travis Reiman outlined those measures in a message to families Thursday, Oct. 15, hours after a deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend.
A 16-year-old opened fire at the Bend school, killing a teacher and three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, according to the Hillsboro News Times. A 7-year-old student and another teacher were critically injured. The shooting lasted less than five minutes before an armed bystander killed the shooter.
Reiman sent his message that afternoon.
"Nothing shakes us to the core like violence against the most innocent and vulnerable amongst us, particularly in a place where they are supposed to be safe without question — our schools," Reiman wrote.
The district's 2017 construction bond funded controlled entry systems, intrusion alarms and cameras at every school and district building, according to a district Safe Schools Week post. That $21.6 million investment also paid for secure entry vestibules, upgraded fencing and window security film. The Hillsboro News Times reported the bond also funded equipment that keeps police and fire radio signals working inside buildings.
A proposed November 2026 bond would add cameras, badge readers, fencing, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and replacement doors, locks and fire panels, the district said.
Beth Graser, the district's chief communications officer, said administrators shared resources with principals on maintaining routines while giving students space to talk about the shooting and receive emotional support.
One parent contacted the district's tipline asking whether students would know what to do if a lockdown started while they were outside their classrooms. Graser said staff are trained to check hallways and common areas, bring students into classrooms, secure doors, close blinds and move away from windows.
"I think the challenge is finding the right balance between providing enough information and reassurance … and spending so much time on it that students become hypervigilant and continually on edge," Graser said.
Banks outlines security measures
Banks School District Superintendent Brian Sica sent a similar message to families. The district has secure entry vestibules at Banks Elementary and Banks Middle schools, funded through a voter-approved 2024 bond, with more security features built into ongoing construction. Sica also cited partnerships with the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Banks Fire Department for emergency planning.
Counselors are available at each Banks school for students struggling with the news.
Sheriff's office increases patrols
The Washington County Sheriff's Office announced Friday, Oct. 16, that youth services officers and additional patrol deputies would be stationed in and around schools countywide.
Cpl. David Huey said the office's Tactical Negotiations Team leads annual multiagency active-threat training at local schools. Last year's exercise took place at Hillsboro High School, bringing together law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
Families can report safety concerns confidentially through SafeOregon, a statewide tip line available around the clock at 844-472-3367 or safeoregon.com. America's Safe Schools Week runs Oct. 19–23.
