Parents, school leaders discuss guns on campuses at CMS meeting

CHARLOTTE — There have been 15 guns found inside Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools this year and Superintendent Earnest Winston said Tuesday night at a Board of Education meeting that it is unacceptable.

Winston said the discovery of firearms reflects broader concerns that everyone in the community must be willing to address.

The district didn’t lay out any specific plans for how leaders will address the concerns, but they did mention a new program in the pipeline.

[ALSO READ: 5 students charged, 2 guns found following fight at Hopewell High School; 6th student facing charge]

School Board member Rhonda Cheek said Hopewell High School will soon have “Dads on Duty” and “Moms on a Mission.” Adult volunteers will join teachers and staff to monitor students and guide them along in hallways.

A similar program in Louisiana received national attention.

[ALSO READ: Several guns found on CMS campuses since students returned to school]

A parent of a Hopewell High School student called on the district to put more safety measures in place. School board members are asking parents to lock up guns.

“At the end of the day, it is babies that are accessing guns,” at-large member Jennifer De La Jara said. “We have called on guns to be locked up. If you own guns, that is fine.”

A town hall for Hopewell High School parents is being held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Lake Forest Church.

[ALSO READ: Hopewell HS lifts lockdown after reports of person spotted near campus with weapon]

(Watch the video below: Leaders react after 5 students in custody, 2 guns seized at Hopewell High School)

Leaders react after 5 students in custody, 2 guns seized at Hopewell High School

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