PERRY, Iowa — A gunman opened fire at Perry High School in Iowa as students prepared to start their first day of classes after the holiday break. The shooter is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and multiple students and faculty were shot, according to news reports.
The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle and Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek:
“Safe schools are an essential part of safe communities where, regardless of their ZIP code, students and their families can walk to school, shop at the grocery store, and attend religious services, a concert, or a movie without fear or threat of gun violence. But just four days into the new year, we are shattered by yet another tragic mass shooting — this time at a high school in Perry, Iowa. Students and educators deserve to feel safe in every school in every community across America.
“We grieve for the loss of life and remain resolved to end the gun violence that we are shamed to note is uniquely American. We continue to demand our elected leaders enact gun safety measures and provide essential staff and supports in all public schools to foster the safe and welcoming learning environments our students deserve because we all deserve to be safe in our communities and in our homes.”
Follow the National Education Association on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @BeckyPringle and @NEAToday
Follow the Iowa State Education Association on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @IowaSEA
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About the National Education Association
The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.
About the Iowa State Education Association
The Iowa State Education Association represents classroom teachers and other licensed professional staff, school support staff workers, retired teachers, area education agency employees, community college faculty, and future teachers. We are an integral part of the 3-million-member National Education Association. We work together to make sure that Iowa’s 500,000 public school students get nothing short of the best education possible. Find out more at www.isea.org.
Media Contact
- Staci Maiers and Jean Hessburg
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