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CMS coping with a decrease in security officers

By Dedrick Russell - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - In one week at least two Charlotte Mecklenburg school (CMS) district employees have been assaulted while trying to break up a fight.

Some now wander are these attacks a sign CMS is struggling to do more with less.

"You need to have people on hand to maintain some type of order." Char-Meck Association of Educators President Mary McCray said. 

The people who helped keep the peace at CMS schools were laid off due to budget cuts. 

The school system eliminated dozens of Campus Security Associates known as CSA's. 

Also gone are dozens of Behavior Modification Technicians known as BMT's.

The lay-offs saved the district millions of dollars. 

McCray says the absence is noticed.

"Even the kids recognize the fact my BMT is not here," McCray told WBTV.  "I can wreck havoc - that's happening from what I am understanding."

This week there were assaults on school personnel at Myers Park HS and at Olympic High School.

Both schools experienced a reduction in their security team. 

Last year Myers Park HS had four CSA's - this year two. Olympic had three CSA's last year -  this year two.

The question now is will more incidents happen because of decreased security.

"It may well pop up," McCray said. "You are probably going to have a lot of instances."

CMS says there is no way to determine if these assaults are a result of a reduction in security.

The school district says it's too early in the school year to tell.