Principal Network Updated Guide on School Shootings
The Principal Recovery Network released new resources to help school leaders manage staff trauma after violent attacks.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Administration
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The Principal Recovery Network, a group of 19 current and former school leaders, has released an updated guide for managing the aftermath of school shootings. This manual expands on a 2022 version to include new protocols for supporting faculty members experiencing trauma.
Why it matters
School administrators often face significant challenges when navigating the long-term emotional and operational impact of gun violence on their campuses. Providing a structured roadmap allows leadership to better manage the trauma of staff members following a shooting.
The Principal Recovery Network is comprised of 19 current and former school leaders. Education Week reported 19 school shootings in 2026, marking an increase from the 18 recorded throughout 2025.
The players
Principal Recovery Network
This group consists of 19 current and former school leaders who convened in 2019 to provide peer support for administrators navigating campus violence.
Patricia Greer
She served as the principal of Marshall County High School during a shooting in 2018.
Education Week
This publication tracks national statistics regarding school shootings in the United States.
The details
The updated manual suggests that schools should formally vet and organize counseling support through their respective districts. Additionally, the guide recommends establishing formal agreements with national school behavioral health organizations to ensure immediate resources are available after an incident.
Timeline
The 2018 school shootings occurred at Marshall County High School and in Parkland.
The Principal Recovery Network convened in 2019 to provide peer support.
The original guide for school leaders was published in 2022.
There were 18 school shootings that occurred throughout 2025.
The updated guide was released on September 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
The formation of this peer support network marks a departure from traditional, reactive administrative responses by creating a formal institutional roadmap. It follows the precedent established by the 2018 Marshall County High School shooting, focusing on long-term recovery for school leaders.
For school staff and faculty, these updated guidelines may lead to more standardized counseling and mental health support programs at their specific schools. These changes are designed to improve the availability of trauma-informed resources during an emergency.
The takeaway
School leadership teams should evaluate their current crisis plans against the updated recommendations to ensure they include comprehensive staff support. Proactive planning for behavioral health services can significantly reduce the long-term impact of trauma on an educational community.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving policies surrounding campus management, visit the Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Education Week.
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