Safety Is Main Priority At Moore Schools, Says Superintendent

The retiring superintendent of Moore Public Schools says she and everyone in the school district is suffering with those who lost loved ones or their homes to Monday's deadly tornado.

Superintendent Susan Pierce spoke at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. It's believed children died at Plaza Towers Elementary School when the tornado destroyed the school, but it's not known how many. The Oklahoma medical examiner's office says it has confirmed 24 people died in the storm, and nine of those were children. 

Police and emergency responders have been at the school for more than 24 hours searching through debris for possible survivors or victims. Officials did say, however, they believe everyone who was at the school has been accounted for.

Complete Coverage: May 2013 Tornado Outbreak

Pierce said safety is the district's main priority. She said as soon as the district was warned of the severe weather, administrators at every school put the district's crisis plan into action.

When our children are at our schools, they are in our care. When it was time to shelter, we did just that."

Pierce emphasized the district exceeds the number of required tornado drills each year.

Pierce said despite the tragedy, all three Moore high schools will hold graduation ceremonies Saturday, May 25 at the Cox Convention Center.

The Moore Public Schools website is down, so parents and students can find information about district on the Moore-Norman Technology Center website or the Norman Public Schools website. 

Pierce will retire as Moore Public Schools superintendent on July 1.