Ramping up efforts for school security is top priority for CMS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials said safety in the district's classrooms is a top priority.

Sources told Channel 9 the district will hire full-time police officers whose entire job will focus on school security.

Parents are breathing a sigh of relief at CMS’ effort to ramp up school safety.

Friday’s school shooting at a middle school in Indiana is another reminder that gunfire can erupt at a school at any time.

"I think that would be a good idea to train them more,” said grandparent Helen Whitesides.

CMS’ preliminary upgraded security plan calls for the hiring of an officer or two to teach active shooter survival skills to teachers and other staffers across the district.

Roger Ayscue, a former Army soldier who also teaches active shooter survival skills, applauds CMS for taking steps toward safety.

"What’s the easiest way to get out of the school, which doors lock, which doors don't lock? Ayscue asked. “Situational awareness is the real thing that they are teaching."

Currently, lockdown drills serve as active shooter training in the district, but it is not as detailed as the new training is expected to be.

Ayscue said the most important thing a teacher can do in an emergency is convey calm to the students.

"And so the main thing that adds to the problem is panic,” Ayscue said.

Family members of CMS students feel it is sad it has come to this.

"I think we have to do everything possible,” grandparent Carol Wilson said.

The changes are expected to be in place by the start of next school year.

The extent of the changes depends on the budget which has not been approved yet.

For example, we don't know if the district will hire its own officers or if CMPD will fill in the new role.

The county manager's budget request includes $24 million more for CMS to help pay for security improvements, but it still needs final approval from commissioners.

At the state level, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said lawmakers are not doing enough for school security.

Republicans plan to dedicate $35 million to safety improvements in a budget adjustment they're working on, while Cooper asked for $130 million.

Cox Media Group