RALEIGH — The North Carolina Center for Safer Schools (CFSS) announced the launch of a Parent Engagement Committee with the aim of giving parents a voice in safety issues in the state’s K-12 schools.
According to a press release by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the committee will have a 24-member advisory board made up of three parents/guardians from the state’s eight educational regions to ensure diverse geographical participation. Two of the three members will be from a school district and one from a charter school.
“What happens in the community goes over into the schools, and it all starts at home,” said CFSS Executive Director Karen Fairley. “It’s vital for parents to be engaged in matters of school safety, and it’s the Center’s responsibility to keep them as informed as possible.
Fairley went on to say that the Committee was modeled on the superintendent’s Parent Advisory Commission with a goal of sharing experiences and making safety recommendations to elected officials, policymakers, and to bring ideas and feedback to Fairley herself.
Parents wishing to apply need to have a child in K-12 at the time of applying, be a legal North Carolina resident, and be able to serve for at least two years which will include attendance at monthly meetings.
Additionally, parents applying will need at least one reference from a public figure or educator from the public school system.
Applications are due Friday, July 7, and those who are selected to be committee members will be notified by Friday, July 28.
The application is linked in the June 19 press release under “news” on the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s website: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/news/press-releases
