Symposium Supports School Safety and Security

The safety and security of students and staff always takes priority in Buncombe County Schools.

Featured Photo: BCS Assistant Superintendent Joseph T. Hough introduces the 2021 Safety Symposium.

By: Benjamin Rickert
BCS Communications Dept.

The safety and security of students and staff always takes priority in Buncombe County Schools.

On Oct. 19, administrators from every school gathered with law enforcement and health care partners for the biannual Safety Symposium, held at Weaverville’s Brookstone Church. The event prepared school and community leaders to prevent and respond to safety issues of many types, with mental health at the forefront of this year’s topics.

“Buncombe County Schools continues to keep safety as the number one priority,” said BCS Assistant Superintendent Joseph T. Hough. “The symposium invites all of our school system partners to work together to continually improve the safety and security of our learning environments.”

During Wednesday’s event, keynote speakers - including Dr. Dominique Honeycutt of MAHEC - dove into tough national topics like depression and suicide, offering professional insight into the early warnings of a mental health emergency. Breakout sessions offered more focused discussion around mental health, and Principal Meg Turner shared lessons learned during last year’s remote evacuation scenario at Charles D. Owen High School.

“In the years between symposiums, the school district conducts an actual remote evacuation of one of the schools to a partnered community facility,” explained Hough. “We also continue to make capital, training, and operation changes recommended by TRC security assessments. TRC conducted its safety survey in 2019.”

While the symposium topics were heavy, school leaders were encouraged by the improvements this year’s gathering supported.

“It was a valuable time for our staff and partners to prepare for challenging scenarios and promote solutions for the wellbeing of our community,” Hough added.

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