Raleigh, N.C. – The first meeting of the state House Select Committee on School Safety will include presentations from students, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Center for Safer Schools, according to a tentative agenda released by the committee’s chairs Monday.
The offices of state House Reps. David Lewis (R-Harnett) and John Torbett (R-Gaston) released the preliminary agenda that also includes personnel from the N.C. Emergency Management Division, the Task Force for Safer Schools, the N.C. School Psychology Association and Meridian Behavioral Health Services.
The committee will start at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 and work until 12:00 p.m., then reconvene from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. for committee discussion in the afternoon.
“We want committee members to absorb as much information as possible prior to a discussion about current law and potential policy proposals,” said Rep. Lewis. “This is a comprehensive effort to examine school safety in North Carolina and we appreciate the willingness of so many experts to provide input at our first hearing.”
Rep. Torbett said the planned presentations cover a range of key issues in school safety including physical security, mental health services and student perspectives.
“Committee members must first understand how state and local agencies work together to protect students and teachers,” Rep. Torbett said. “As legislators, our role is to empower law enforcement and educators to provide secure and productive classrooms that keep children safe every day across North Carolina.”
State House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) appointed the House Select Committee on School Safety in February following a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 students and teachers dead and over a dozen wounded.
Speaker Moore plans to address the committee on Wednesday and thanked the chairmen for their plans to cover a broad range of complex issues concerning school safety.
“The state’s first and foremost duties are to protect and educate our children, Speaker Moore said. “This committee’s work will reflect the sense of urgency among the people of North Carolina to secure classrooms and keep students safe at school.”
Background
February 20, 2018: Speaker Names School Safety Committee
March 1, 2018: Volunteer School Resource Officers Supported by Speaker
March 7, 2018: School Safety Committee Announces First Meeting