CMS leader wants to review safety procedures in wake of FL shooting

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By Tina Terry

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wednesday’s deadly school mass shooting in Florida hit Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox hard.

Wilcox said he and the superintendent in Broward County are colleagues and friends,

“To watch him struggle to get his words was hard,” Wilcox said.

The tragic school attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that claimed the lives of 17 people has shaken the entire country, and has many questioning the safety in local schools.

Wilcox addressed the shooting and policies in the district Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the shooting in Florida.

“We, in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, are as prepared as you can be, should something like this happen in our community,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox said that the safety of every child in CMS is a priority. He said he has asked his team to review all safety procedures and asked police to increase visibility on and around CMS campuses.

"Every time something like this happens, you have to re-evaluate your procedures and expectations,” Wilcox said. “I have no doubt we'll have more emphasis on lockdown procedures."

After watching news on the shooting, parent Vicky Scinto wondered how the shooter was able to get so far.

She said she would like to see full-time security personnel at all CMS schools.

“Yesterday was a sobering day for me as a mom,” Scinto said. “Armed guards are a good idea. It’s just come to a place where I feel like we need extra."

All CMS schools have school resource officers, but Wilcox said there is room for improvement, and that would take help from state lawmakers.

Wilcox said state officials can do more to help protect children.

“We can also ask our legislators to help us with school security services in the form of armed security officers. I think that is an unfortunate reality of the 21st century,” Wilcox said.

He also said local communities have to do more to protect students and care for those with mental issues.

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