MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. -- Thousands of students are back in school today across the area.

For Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, there are lots of changes in store, including three new schools opening.

Superintendent Clayton Wilcox was up early, greeting bus drivers before they headed out. He then visited an elementary school.

“I think parents need to see that. Many times they’re tucked away but it says he’s out here where the action is,” said Issac Murray, a school counselor. 

Students returned to classrooms in Union County with a few security upgrades already in place.

While students at middle schools like Sun Valley have had school resource officers in the past, those officers will also now serve elementary schools throughout the district.

 

 

 

 

CMS said they did encounter an incident Monday morning at Highland Renaissance School. Ronnie Darrell Carr exposed himself on the sidewalk to a mother and her young child.

He was arrested and charged with indecent exposure, sexual battery, attempted kidnapping and assaulting a child under 12.

In addition, anyone who enters an elementary school will have to use a video doorbell.

All Union County Schools will use a visitor management system that requires any guest to show a valid photo ID.

There are also security upgrades being made in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools.

Everyone from teachers to board members will have to sign in using the "lobby guard” that keeps track of who's inside a building.

We're told campuses are also looking at expanding the use of security cameras and electronic locks. That request for funding will head to Mecklenburg County commissioners soon.

CMS Police Chief Lisa Mangum says her staff is staying vigilant. "Every day we're always going to be evaluating our safety plans and at times revising what we need to find best practices,” she said.

A new study by the educator's school safety network claims North Carolina was among the top ten states for school threats and violent incidents last year.