After 38 months marked by silence, legal hurdles, and sorrow, the board members of Uvalde CISD have unanimously agreed to make public the records from the devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.

The board’s decision comes on the heels of a recent ruling by the Fourth Court of Appeals, which favored multiple news organizations requesting access to both school and county documents pertaining to the controversial actions of law enforcement during the 2022 tragedy that took the lives of 19 children and two teachers.

County Commissioner Ronald Garza urged the board to withdraw the appeal and publish the records, hailing the court’s decision as a triumph for the families during the open forum.

FILE: Investigators search for evidence outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, May 25, 2022, following a shooting at the school.  (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The board collectively apologized, and several members expressed remorse for their prior inaction, showing institutional change, not just compliance.

Families of the victims in the Uvalde elementary school shooting listen to attorney Josh Koskoff during a news conference, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas.  (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Erica Muñoz stated her reason for joining the board was the need to rebuild trust through transparency and compassion.

Berinda Areola urged that their healing starts when the records are released. 

“There’s nothing in those records that can hurt us more than the pain we’ve already endured,” said Areola.

Board Secretary Jesse Rizo, who lost a niece in the tragedy, apologized during the meeting, saying, “I’m sorry it took so long. I’m sorry we failed you.”