North Carolina is the first in the nation to have a realistic terrorist training center focused on safer schools, according to Rep. John Torbett.
The training center aims to provide safer learning environments for North Carolina K-12 schools. It is named the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools (CFSS) and is located at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs. CFSS opened its temporary training facility on Jan. 24.
Gov. Roy Cooper says we have a lot to do to improve North Carolina schools on Jan. 24, 2023, at the open house for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs.
The North Carolina Department of Safety operates Samarcand Training Academy. According to its website, its mission is to “provide training facilities that enhance and encourage its employees to develop skills to safeguard and protect citizens and property with prevention, protection, preparation, integrity and honor.”
Samarcand Training Academy provides training on its 430 acres and 14 buildings for law enforcement and other state and federal agencies.
The temporary CFSS training center includes an academic building, two classrooms and two offices with seven cubicles.
Teachers, support staff, administrators, school resource officers, and law enforcement will use CFSS facilities for realistic training.
During the open house on Tuesday, Samarcand Training Academy Director Matthew Rebuck said 113 acres, purchased in February 2022, were allocated for the permanent CFSS facility and plans to be completed and open for training in 2024 in Biscoe. The acreage includes the former East Montgomery High School, which will provide a realistic setting for terrorist training in schools.
State officials attending the open house included Gov. Roy Cooper, Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, Justice Academy Director Trevor Allen and Attorney General Josh Stein.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), the Department of Public Safety, and the North Carolina Department of Justice collaborated on CFSS plans.
According to a NCDPI press release, $74 million in School Safety Grants assisted in funding the safer school project.
Gov. Roy Cooper said law enforcement needed to be ready to respond because they could no longer wait for backup to respond to indiscriminate shooters.
“We are asking law enforcement to risk their lives, again, for others,” Cooper said.
N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein said the role of the school resource officer was to de-escalate violence. He said every school was required to have an emergency response plan. Schools also have violence interruption programs designed to help students at the highest risk level.
N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein speaks on Jan. 24, 2023, at the open house for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs.
Among the challenges Cooper cited for safer schools was the rise in gang violence, outsiders with weapons, and an unprecedented increase in gun purchases in 2019-2020, which simultaneously saw rates of youth killed by weapons double.
Cooper said administration and law enforcement must focus on mental health and that legislation was considering expanding Medicaid for mental health.
Feature photo: Gov. Roy Cooper says we have a lot to do to improve North Carolina schools on Jan. 24, 2023, at the open house for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs.
~Article, photos, and video by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Contact her at [email protected].
