A previous proposal to place unarmed security guards in several Moore County schools has been delayed after the Board of Education voted Monday to assign the matter to a temporary committee.
The contract with North Carolina Protection Group, which followed a recent presentation on Sept. 2, had been scheduled for additional discussion at the Sept. 8 meeting. Instead, Board Chair Dr. Robin Calcutt removed the item from the agenda and announced the formation of a safety committee, consisting of herself, Vice Chair Shannon Davis, and At-Large Member Kenneth Benway.
Calcutt said the district continues to face shortages in its own police department, with 14 school resource officer positions still vacant despite increased funding and higher pay.
“The bottom line is that we all want school resource officers on our campuses,” Calcutt said. “The superintendent’s recommendation is an attempt of an additional layer of protection while we look for these applicants, but at this time, I am forming a temporary safety committee to move as quickly as possible to learn more about the root of the problem and provide some context so we might make an informed decision.”
The forming of the committee follows a recent presentation from Gary Pastor, president of North Carolina Protection Group, who pitched a plan to station unarmed guards at six elementary schools: Cameron, Southern Pines, Westmoore, West End, McDeeds Creek, and Sandhills Farm Life.
Under the proposal, contracted personnel would patrol school grounds, watch for security threats, and assist administrators.
However, the move drew pushback from board member David Hensley, who questioned why he had not been included on the committee despite his prior experience and years-long advocacy for school security. Hensley cited that he has attended “20 to 30 lectures” specifically dealing with SROs at assorted schools across the country.
“I respectfully question the members of the committee,” started Hensley. “I’ve been the outspoken advocate for upgrading our SROs for well over four years. I’ve been hip-deep in it, and quite frankly, I have decades of experience in the law enforcement realm.”
Calcutt acknowledged his concerns but did not alter the committee makeup, telling Hensley, “I’m just going to stay as I am at this time, but I will take it under consideration.”
The new committee is expected to review the issue and bring recommendations back to the board.
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Feature photo: Screenshot of Board of Education members on Sept. 8.
~ Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
