Protecting students is a priority in Lumberton and across the nation in the wake of Uvalde.

Lumberton ISD's new Director of Security and Student Services spoke about that topic during the monthly meeting of the Press Club of Southeast Texas.

Tim Lane has a distinguished career in law enforcement and public safety administration in Arizona.

He's already been pro-active in hardening school buildings and other safety precautions in Lumberton, where school begins next month, as it does in just about every school district.

Joining him at the Press Club was LISD Superintendent Tony Tipton and LISD Communications Director Mary Johnson.

Lane says protecting students, teachers and schools takes a team effort and he hopes to work with other districts to make Southeast Texas campuses safe.

Lumberton ISD will host a safety and security town hall meeting September 19 at the Performing Arts Center.

Lane and school administrators will give citizens an overview of preparing for the unexpected.