CMS officials gather to discuss security screenings in schools

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By Elsa Gillis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chalotte Mecklenburg Schools officials gathered Friday to discuss security changes at schools.

The security changes were brought about after the deadly Butler High School shooting back in October.

Superintendent Clayton Wilcox has repeatedly told Channel 9 that random security screenings would happen by next week.

[READ MORE: Teenager accused of killing classmate at Butler High School to face judge]

Channel 9's education reporter, Elsa Gillis, was at Friday morning's breakfast meeting with CMS leaders.

She pushed district leaders Friday morning, but they wouldn't tell her exactly when they plan to start the safety screenings, only that they are on track for the first part of this year.

We have been told by CMS that they are testing out three different models:

  • Screening an entire school as the students walk in.
  • Screening all students in a selected building.
  • Screening all students in randomly selected classrooms.

They will be using metal detectors and wands and do bag checks.

[PAST COVERAGE: Tougher security measures ahead for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools]

At the meeting, CMS presented the plan to Mecklenburg County Legislators in their ongoing effort to alert the community before the changes start.

District representative Tracy Russ told Channel 9 that they’re talking about asking for more money in the upcoming budget request for safety features.

“We want to make sure that these plans are the right plans. That they're effective, that they are deterring weapons away from campus and also that they are minimally disruptive to class time and teaching,” said Russ.

That request could include new technology and additional school resource officers.

[ [MORE INFORMATION: CMS to begin testing new security measures at 'randomly' selected high school] ]

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