CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg school leaders are taking new steps to protect students after a series of school threats.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced March 10 that new communication protocols will go into effect for all the district's schools.

What You Need To Know

  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools this week announced new communication protocols as a response to recent threats

  • The district says schools are safe, referencing a 7.7% reduction in total criminal acts from the 2021-22 to 2023-24 school years 

  • A West Charlotte High School senior says it's important to have student input on violence and threats in schools

“We're so used to it, we don't really take it as serious as we should," West Charlotte High School senior Bobbie Forest said.

Forest says he's not the only student who feels that way. Students witness enough violence that they eventually become desensitized to it most of the time, he says.

“It is very concerning because one day it might turn out to actually be real and they show up with a gun on campus and we all look stupid and get shot," he said. “Hopefully it never comes to that in point, I pray to the Lord it doesn’t, but ... it is concerning. It is very concerning." 

Superintendent Crystal Hill in February apologized to parents after the district was slow to send notifications when threats were reported at several schools. She said improvements would be made to rebuild trust.

Over the last two weeks, the school district reported multiple weapons and several fights at schools.  

Hill on Monday posted a 6-minute video on YouTube to explain new communication protocols that have been put into place.

Before the changes were approved, the district says they were presented to the performance area assistant superintendents and the Principal Advisory Council.

Part of the changes include parents receiving more notifications when an investigation allows.

Forest says it's a step in the right direction.

"It definitely is reassuring as a student and someone who cares about the next generation of students to see them as trying to take action... but I'm not going to give CMS too much credit yet,” he said

After taking part in a recent youth town hall, Forest says more needs to be done.

"Sure you all just implement the plans as it is. But like I said, a total revamp would be better, in my mind and in clearly the consensus of the general population, that is students in their mind, when it comes to protecting us as your students on your campus," he said.

He says students should have input when changes are being considered.

"Just as it is important for us to be a part of the conversation when it comes to issues like this, it definitely is also important that we hear about the conversation when it comes to issues like this, because most of the time we would love to show up at the table," he said. "But No. 1, we either haven't been invited, or No. 2, we don't know the event transpired." 

Meanwhile, the district continues to say that schools are safe.

Officials touted a 7.7% reduction in total criminal acts from the 2021-22 school year to the 2023-24 school year, in addition to a 69% reduction in firearms, from 29 to 9, in the 2023-24 school year.

As part of the new protocols and increase in number of notifications for parents, district officials noted that they are limited in what can be shared due to privacy laws and the need to protect the integrity of investigations.