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6 <br /> GROUNDWORK <br /> After establishing ground rules for discussion at the first Task Force meeting, <br /> members discussed: <br /> • the Task Force Charge, <br /> • the applicability of any safety provisions within both the municipalities and <br /> in the unincorporated areas of the County, <br /> • the applicability of provisions to all groups, <br /> • safety concerns not only for students but also teachers and all school staffs, <br /> and <br /> • potential topics and speakers. <br /> At the second meeting on March 23, 2023, law enforcement and individual school <br /> safety administrators on the Task Force provided information and insight on three <br /> questions regarding Protest/Demonstration, Active Assailants, and Public Access to <br /> School Property during School Hours: <br /> 1) What is happening within the schools to address these safety areas? <br /> 2) What is one example of school safety challenges in the three areas? <br /> 3) How do law enforcement and the schools coordinate to protect schools and <br /> address these safety areas? <br /> The importance of current collaboration efforts on a quarterly basis with law <br /> enforcement, fire department personnel and emergency management as well as <br /> annual training and utilization of SROs was emphasized as critical. Unknown <br /> demonstrations, public confusion over use of school facilities and accessing school <br /> buses, applicability of North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 36A (Riots, Civil <br /> Disorders, and Emergencies), and permitting processes for protests/demonstrations <br /> were identified as challenges. <br /> Law enforcement noted that other safety challenges included educating people on <br /> criminal behavior versus anti-social behavior and explaining the constitutional and <br /> statutory limitations placed on law enforcement. Communication and having a clear <br /> understanding of everyone's role are keys to coordinating safety. Other points of <br /> discussion covered concerns for safety planning for public access to school facilities <br /> and for school board and other meetings at schools, the value of the Center for Safer <br /> School as a resource, and the challenge of school threats. <br /> At the April 13, 2023, SSTF meeting, Karen Fairley, Executor Director of the Center <br /> for Safer Schools, an agency within the NC Department of Public Instruction, <br /> presented. Among the Center's responsibilities established in NCGS 115C-105.56 <br /> and 105.57, Powers and Duties, are serving as a hub for technical assistance on <br /> 4 <br />