Here are Jay's full remarks delivered to the NC House Select Committee on School Safety delivered on Sept 7 at WHS.
The shooting incident in Parkland, Florida on Feb 14th is yet another reminder to us all about school safety. I want to assure you that we at Watauga Schools are always concerned about the safety and welfare of our students.
Student Safety
Everyone at Watauga County Schools from the board members to the Central Services administrators to the teachers, staff and volunteers makes the safety of our students a top priority.
We always remember that our student is your child.
We have a full-time SRO at the high school and another SRO that travels among our K-8 schools. We also have a great working relationship with the local law enforcement agencies. [UPDATE: We are adding two SRO positions this school year!]
We always remember that our student is your child.
We have a full-time SRO at the high school and another SRO that travels among our K-8 schools. We also have a great working relationship with the local law enforcement agencies. [UPDATE: We are adding two SRO positions this school year!]
Transportation Safety
- All buses equipped with interior cameras.
- About half of our bus fleet is equipped with "stop-arm" cameras.
- Bus routes chosen to minimize students crossing roads.
Facility Safety
- All schools have camera, audio, buzzer system to verify entry at locked front doors.
- Piloting new visitor management system that requires ID and connects to offender databases.
- WHS has a double locked entryway providing an additional level of safety. [UPDATE: now all schools have double locked entryway vestibules.]
- All schools have multiple, exterior cameras.
- AED devices in all schools.
Even more safety...
- Water tested daily at six of our schools that are not on municipal water systems.
- All schools practice lock down drills twice per year.
- UPDATE: This school year we are adding two counselors and two more nurses to our schools. These professionals, along with our social workers and psychologists, help our students learn to cope in today's society.
