ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National School Boards Association (NSBA) expresses its deep sympathies to those affected by the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., today.

"Tears are being shed in Connecticut and across the United States for the families of those killed or injured in the Newtown school shooting," said C. Ed Massey, President of the National School Boards Association and member of Kentucky's Boone County Board of Education. "It is a tragedy. Our hearts and our prayers go out to the students, schools staff, parents, and all of those affected." 

NSBA Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel added: "Although details of this horrible tragedy are still emerging, we know that schools generally are the safest place children can be. NSBA will assist our colleagues in the Newtown Public Schools, their Board of Education, and our state association, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, in any way that we can." 

Founded in 1940, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) is a not-for-profit organization representing state associations of school boards and their more than 90,000 local school board members throughout the U.S. Working with and through our state associations, NSBA advocates for equity and excellence in public education through school board leadership. www.nsba.org

SOURCE National School Board Association