By FULLER ROYAL
Staff Writer
“When I look at the condition of safety of the Whiteville City Schools, I have great concern,” said Whiteville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Randall Shaver as he began his introductory remarks to the more than 100 parents and school employees during Tuesday night’s PTA school safety forum. “There is a preponderance of weapons and we must take action.”
The forum came about after Shaver met with the system’s four PTA presidents. Confusion and concern over any new rules, especially those pertaining to book bags and pocketbooks, became the driving force. Shaver and the presidents thought a public forum would answer concerns and calm fears.
Central Middle School PTA President -elect Becky High moderated the meeting.
Shaver told the group that school safety was an administrative issue, not a school board issue. Each school’s school improvement team (SIT) and principal came up with the proposals presented.
“The schools need to be flexible to do what is necessary without constraints from the board,” Shaver said, adding that he will look at the recommendations from each school.
“Ultimately, that decision will be certified by my office,” he said.
He said the new rules won’t be the most convenient but the students will be safer.
Shaver said the primary safety issues are weapons on campus, visitors on campus, violence, fighting, drug use, crisis response and crisis communications. (See full story.)