Governor's Task Force On Safer Schools Meeting
Key discussions included the relocation of the Center for Safer Schools to the DPS' Law Enforcement Division for improved resource access, confirmation that Task Force meetings will continue at the Hammond Road location, and upcoming events such as a Safer Schools and Communities Forum in Kinston and a School Violence Prevention and Response Symposium in Wilmington. Presentations covered the statewide awareness initiative Talk It Out NC regarding underage drinking, progress on the SRO census identifying school safety contacts and anonymous reporting mechanisms, and the completion of Critical Incident and Response Training, which is becoming a national model. Steering committees provided updates on efforts concerning mental health support for students with special needs, and early intervention programs to combat truancy. Partnering agencies reported on Mental Health First Aid training progress, stakeholder training outcomes from the Department of Justice, and ongoing school safety observations by the State Highway Patrol. The School Climate and Discipline Committee continues to focus on cyberbullying and alternatives to suspension. The Physical Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee reported on ongoing training and the need for curriculum for 911 telecommunicators regarding active shooter response. A detailed presentation reviewed a recent full-scale active shooter, crisis response, evacuation, and reunification drill conducted in Nash County. The group also addressed serious violent incidents in schools and the need for statutory response mechanisms for student behavior issues.