MCS gives statement on incidents at Crain's Creek Middle

October 24, 2022

Recently, there’s been a large number of social media posts depicting nationwide violence in public schools.

“Throughout the country, social media accounts posting videos of fights and other instances at schools and on school buses exist. Schools within MCS are no exception,” said Moore County Schools Communication Director Catherine Nagy to Sandhills Sentinel in response to recent incidents at a Moore County middle school.

Two recent reports of incidents involving Crain’s Creek Middle School students have surfaced on social media.

On Oct. 7, a video circulated on Facebook depicting a violent clash between two students.

According to a Facebook post from one of the student’s mother, the other student body slammed her son from behind. She said he continued to attack her son while screaming “I am going to F****** kill you.” The mother said the student attempted to strangle and smother her son.

As a result of the alleged attack, the mother said on Facebook her son had bruises on his neck and multiple bruises on his face.

According to the mother on Facebook, she wasn’t notified from the school about the incident until several hours later. She said she was told they couldn’t inform her of any actions they took on the other student due to privacy concerns.

According to Nagy, “The incident is still under investigation, and if MCS Police choose to file charges, it will be referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.”

In a separate incident on Oct. 19, a Crain’s Creek Middle School student in a group text threatened to bring a weapon to school. Parents were told the Moore County Schools Police were investigating the incident, and parents were told the student would not be at school, and there was no immediate threat to students or staff.

Nagy addressed rumors that the student was on campus on the day of the threatened shooting.

Not so, according to Nagy, and she reiterated the statement made to parents “regarding the threat made by a Crain’s Creek Middle School student in a group chat on Oct. 19, this message was delivered to parents on Oct. 20: ‘Last night a student made a threat in a group text chat that he was going to bring a weapon to school. There is no immediate threat to students or staff at the school. The student was not in school today. MCS Police are investigating the incident. In an abundance of caution, additional MCS Police will be on the school campus tomorrow.’”

Because privacy laws requires the identity and disposition of juvenile cases remain private, the school district was unable to provide any additional information to Sandhills Sentinel.

However, according to Nagy, “Moore County Schools are committed to the safety of students and staff. The safety of our students is our highest priority. We take any acts of bullying or violence in our schools very seriously and will take swift action to ensure that those who perpetrate violence are disciplined and charged according to the law.”

After these incidents, about 80 concerned parents recently gathered at Sandy Ramey Keith Park in Vass to discuss their concerns with the school administration.

Moore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Locklair and Moore County Schools Police Chief Rodney Hardy were in attendance. Locklair addressed the crowd and told them he heard their concerns, and steps were being taken.

Despite these words, some parents are still concerned. A group of parents recently gathered outside Crain’s Creek Middle School protesting the ongoing issues at the school.

A small group of people held a peaceful protest near Crain’s Creek Middle School.

One goal of the protest is to get Crain’s Creek Middle School Principal Melonie Jones reassigned. Jones was appointed principal at Crain’s Creek after serving as an assistant principal at Southern Middle School. She has been with Moore County Schools since 1999.