Wallowa County schools pledge to keep kids safe, issue firearm safety guide
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, November 6th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
WALLOWA COUNTY – (Joint press release from Wallowa County Public School Districts and the Wallowa County Education Service District)
Dear Wallowa County Families and Community Members,
In the wake of the recent tragedy in Bend, Oregon, our hearts remain with the students, families, educators, and community members impacted by this heartbreaking event. As educational leaders across Wallowa County, we stand united in our commitment to maintaining safe, supportive, and welcoming schools for every student.
The safety and well-being of our children is a responsibility we all share. While our schools maintain established safety procedures and emergency response protocols, we recognize the equally important role families and community partners play in preventing tragedies before they occur.
Beyond our existing safety measures, all four school districts and Wallowa County ESD are actively working behind the scenes with community partners to strengthen and expand the already robust mental health services, law enforcement partnerships, and student safety supports available in our schools. These ongoing collaborative efforts are focused on building upon the strong foundation already in place, identifying additional resources, and ensuring our students and staff have access to the support they need.
In partnership with the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Health Authority, we are sharing the attached Keep Kids Safe: A Firearm Safety Guide for Oregon Parents and Caregivers.
We recognize that firearms are a part of life for many families in our rural communities, whether for hunting, recreation, personal protection, or other lawful purposes. Responsible firearm ownership and secure storage are essential to protecting our children and represent an area where our entire community can find common ground.
Our intent in sharing this information is not to create fear, but to encourage awareness, responsible practices, and continued collaboration. We remain committed to working alongside families, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and community partners to strengthen the safety and well-being of every child in Wallowa County.
Keeping our children safe is not the responsibility of any one school, family, or organization. It is a shared commitment across our entire county.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our students.
United in Service to Wallowa County Students,
Landon Braden, Superintendent, Wallowa County ESD
Tammy Jones, Troy School District #54
Rollie Marshall, Superintendent, Wallowa School District #12
Dan Wold, Superintendent, Enterprise School District #21
Mike Hillman, Superintendent, Joseph School District #6
