© 2024 WFAE
90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Superintendent Calls For Extra Security At CMS Schools

CMS Superintendent Clayton Wilcox tells legislators that the district needs more money to comply with reduced classroom size legislation.
Gwendolyn Glenn
/
WFAE

The superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is calling for increased security measures at schools across the district in the wake of a mass shooting yesterday in Florida that left 17 people dead.

In a press conference Thursday, Superintendent Clayton Wilcox said he was interested in looking at how to lock classrooms and providing armed guards.

"I think one of the things that we have to look at is, do we have to have different locking mechanisms on our door, do we have to provide individual classrooms with locking mechanisms that can’t be easily accessed," Wilcox said. "I think the one thing that we can also ask our legislature to help us with is school security services in the form of armed security officers. I think that is an unfortunate reality of the 21st century."

The superintendent was also asked if the district had anyone dedicated to looking at possible threats on social media. A spokesman for CMS said staff members across the district regularly monitor social media, including for threats.

Nick de la Canal is an on air host and reporter covering breaking news, arts and culture, and general assignment stories. His work frequently appears on air and online. Periodically, he tweets: @nickdelacanal