Stats Show Crime and Violence Increasing in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
CHARLOTTE, NC – A new report from the State Board of Education shows more than 1300 criminal or violent acts in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools during the 2015-2016 school year.
That’s up nearly 13 percent from the previous year.
Perhaps most disturbing, an increase in assaults on school personnel.
Cell phone video shows students assaulting Harding University High School employee Annette Albright.
“I think the first step in correcting the problem is admitting there’s a problem,” Albright says.
CMS reported 301 assaults on school personnel during the 2015-2016 school year. Compare that to Wake County Schools, a slightly larger district, which only reported 46.
Albright, whose contract was not renewed after last summer’s incident says CMS needs to do more.
“There are lots of teachers at CMS that love their job but they are just afraid of their students,” Albright says.
Judy Kidd, President of the Classroom Teachers Association, says the district needs to spend more time making sure students are prepared before advancing them to higher grade levels.
“When they can’t be successful and get attention academically, they get attention through misbehavior,” Kidd says.
A district spokesperson told WCCB Charlotte no one was available to talk about the numbers.
WCCB Charlotte did receive a statement from Superintendent Ann Clark, which reads in part, “Safety is a top priority and we are continuously broadening our efforts to support safe schools for students and staff.”
