MANOR, Texas — In October, an incident at Manor Senior High School left 18-year-old Darrin Loving dead, when 18-year-old Mac Brown Mbah Mbanwei allegedly stabbed him in the chest with a large knife.
The murder shook the community, prompting the district to review safety measures.
At the Manor ISD board of trustees meeting on Monday, several parents took to the podium, calling for transparency. Some were not afraid to show their anger toward the board and Manor ISD police.
Parents cited their concerns over safety protocols at the school, asking why more safety measures were not put in place by the time the deadly stabbing took place.
At the beginning of the meeting, during public comment, Manor ISD parent Vanessa Ygnacio took to the podium to raise her concerns.
“I cannot even begin to describe how I feel, but I must find words to express my feelings. I would start with sadness, anger, fear and disappointment. You, Dr. Sormani, and the board and every administration person in this district has failed to keep the children of Manor ISD safe. The death of Darrin Loving proves that as a parent, I have lost all faith in the school and in the district,” Ygnacio said.
Former board member Elmer Fisher also took to the podium, asking for transparency.
“Get it right so we don’t affect children’s lives. What I do know is it’s a different conversation when your kid doesn’t come home to you. So Dr. Sormani, let’s make sure all our kids come home to us,” Fisher said.
After public comment, Manor ISD Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani said it makes him “sick to his stomach” that they lost a student on his watch. He gave safety updates on Manor ISD, saying schools have one to two entry points monitored at all times and there are increased patrols of parking lots and towing of unauthorized cars.
Trustees also have provided enough funding for 26 officers in the current budget.
Dr. Sormani said the district has also contracted with a law firm to do an independent review of all aspects of their safety and security before and after the incident. They are also looking at programs for students on how to resolve their conflicts.