CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — School leaders are sharing an update on improvements to their communication protocols following recent threats made toward schools last month.
Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Dr. Crystal Hill, along with other executive staff, posted a video on YouTube on Monday, detailing the steps school leaders have taken to assure better internal and external reporting of threats.
On Feb. 24, in a video posted to YouTube, Dr. Hill addressed recent concerns following threats of mass violence made against several Charlotte-area schools. Parents were notified days after a man allegedly threatened to kill people on multiple CMS campuses.
In the past two weeks, CMS reported several fights and multiple weapons were found on CMS campuses across the Charlotte area.
Following these incidents, a team of safety and communication leaders reviewed the current protocol to determine where they could add new and improved practices. Last week, the team presented their findings before the executive staff, including all building and central office leaders.
Starting Monday, March 10, the enhanced communication protocols will go into effect for all schools. Chief Communications Officer Dr. Shanna Spickard says parents will notice an increase in the number of notifications keeping them informed but notes that due to privacy laws and the integrity of investigations, there are times that the schools are limited in what information they can share.
Chief Operating Officer Tim Ivey says that from the 21-22 to the 23-24 school year, the district has seen a 7.7 percent reduction in the total number of criminal acts as well as an 8.3% decrease in acts of crime per 1,000 students, according to the NCDPI.
The school district reports a 49 percent decrease in possessions of weapons other than firearms and a 69 percent reduction in firearms (from 29 to 9) in the 23-24 school year.
On top of ensuring better safety practices within the schools, school leaders are emphasizing the need for families to work with schools, saying, “School safety is truly a shared responsibility.”
“We need a strong partnership with our families to reinforce behavior expectations at home and to help address issues before they come to school,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight said. “Whether you’re a student, a parent, a staff member or community member, we all play a role in creating a safe environment where students can thrive.”
Dr. Balknight encourages families to talk to their children about the importance of thinking before they act and understanding that a “harmless joke” can have serious and lasting consequences.
