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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: September 19, 2023 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-a <br /> SUBJECT: Presentation of the Schools Safety Task Force Final Report <br /> DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Schools Safety Task Force Final Report Commissioner Jean Hamilton, 919-245- <br /> 2130 <br /> Commissioner Earl McKee, 919-245- <br /> 2130 <br /> Greg Wilder, 919-245-2300 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive a presentation on the Schools Safety Task Force Final Report. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Charge and composition of the Schools Safety Task Force were <br /> established at the Board's November 15, 2022 Business Meeting. With a subsequent amendment <br /> to the Charge approved at the Board of Commissioners' April 18, 2023 Business meeting, the <br /> Task Force was charged to: <br /> 1) Discuss ways in which the Orange County government, schools, law enforcement, and <br /> community can enhance the safety of the school environment to protect from external <br /> threats and promote the education of Orange County K-12 public school students; and <br /> 2) Recommend to the Board of County Commissioners new or amended policies, ordinances, <br /> and/or practices that will address those external threats and provide a safer school <br /> environment for our students, teachers and staff. <br /> Task Force members were appointed in December 2022 and January/February 2023. <br /> Commissioner Jean Hamilton and Commissioner Earl McKee served as Co-Chairs for the Task <br /> Force, and Retired District Court Judge Jay Bryan served as the facilitator. The Task Force met <br /> six times between February and June 2023 and explored the primary topic areas of: <br /> • Protest/demonstrations <br /> • Active Assailants, and <br /> • Public Access to School Property During School Hours. <br /> Presenters to the Task Force included: <br /> • Karen Fairley, Executor Director of the Center for Safer Schools, an agency within the NC <br /> Department of Public Instruction <br /> • UNC Law School Professor Mary-Rose Papandrea regarding the First Amendment and the <br /> Constitution <br /> • John Roberts, County Attorney for Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />