APPROVED March 23, 2023 Schools Safety Task Force Meeting Summary

Browse Search

Task Force Alternate Andrew Poole echoed that most of the issues had already been mentioned and that OCS worked well with the Sheriff's Office. He referenced the Center for Safer Schools as a good resource for training and learning about first-time events and efforts. He shared that addressing the public access issue was a challenge when working in older facilities with outdated designs and that communication and collaboration were the biggest factors for safety. Task Force Alternate Abele noted that one significant challenge was school threats and reminding students that they were not jokes. He referenced the need for additional mental health resources, as students making threats often involves other factors leading to those threats. Co-Chair McKee then opened the floor to questions and discussion. Task Force Member Bradford asked about efforts during unexpected events. Task Force Member Atack commented that the school was in charge of the property and could choose to provide access or not. Law enforcement focused on the streets and adjoining properties and attempted to guide the event participants, balancing school needs and the right to protest. Task Force Alternate Poole added that you can ask "what if?" every single day, and that the work of safety is dealing with unexpected events. He noted that every event is different and it is hard to plan for every single one. Task Force Member Kate O'Boyle asked about the SROs not being in CHCCS elementary schools. Task Force Member Atack shared that CHCCS elementary schools previously included SROs, but not now. Task Force Alternate Stewart commented that CHCCS looked at safety in layers, and that SROs are a single layer. He noted that there were mental health staff in the schools, and that CHCCS used a lot of different things through those layers to prepare for the unknown. Task Force Alternate Abele added that OCS did have SROs in schools, including elementary, which provided a solid foundation. He noted a need to address school parking lots as well as the question of where does school property begin and end and the associated road right-of-ways. He added that the public is very confused about use of school facilities, such as tennis courts, and why schools were locking gates and not providing the available lights so the public could use the school facilities. He indicated an interest in the group hearing from attorneys and the North Carolina Department of Transportation about road right-of-ways, and the struggle between first amendment rights and the interruption of school access/functions. Task Force Member Ari Schein read from North Carolina General Statute 36A, and commented that he had previously suggested the Task Force pursue presentations from attorneys. Task Force Alternate Stewart noted that the 36A provisions were included in CHCCS policy.