The Sherman Independent School District Police Department has been honored with the 2026 Statewide School Safety Spotlight Award. The recognition was granted for leading a collaborative emergency reunification initiative that now encompasses all 13 school districts in Grayson County. Sherman is located approximately 9 miles north of Howe.
The award acknowledges the district’s work in addressing the challenges families face during school emergencies, particularly the uncertainty regarding when parents will be reunited with their children. The initiative grew from a training program staged by the district last year, which focused on emergency reunification protocols. The positive response from local schools and agencies encouraged the expansion of the program to a county-wide scale.
Sherman ISD Police Chief Heath Wester stated that the department takes student safety seriously and aims to provide resources that reassure parents. He noted that the goal is to ensure children are returned to their families as quickly as possible during a crisis. Wester emphasized that the program relies on cooperation among various groups, including law enforcement, school faculty, bus drivers, and maintenance staff.
Grayson County Office of Emergency Management Director Sarah Somers praised the leadership shown by Wester and the district in bringing different entities together. She described the collaborative approach as beneficial for the entire county, stating that the community is stronger because of the effort.
