Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Aug. 27, 2020, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
A2 August 27, 2020 The Chronicle Board of Education approves $2.5 million security contracts BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE Despite calls from the community to use the funding for other needs, the lo cal board of education has approved $2.5 million security contracts with the For syth County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), Kernersville Police Department (KPD), and North State Company Police. The SRO (School Resource Officer) contracts that were approved during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, in cludes $1,866,790 for 20 officers from the FCSO and $588,153 for six officers from the KPD. When schools return to in-person learning, SROs from the Sher iff’s Office will be assigned to the middle and high schools in Forsyth County, not in Kernersville. And the SRO’s from the KPD will be assigned to the remaining middle and high schools. The contract with North State Com pany Police is for $58,011 for one compa ny police officer who will be responsible for providing “support security” with fo cus on administrative sites and elemen tary schools. In past years, the bulk of the SRO duties were handled by the Winston-Sa lem Police Department (WSPD), but to fill many of the vacancies on patrol, the WSPD decided not to renew the contract for the 2020-2021 school year. Accord ing to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) Deputy Superinten dent Tricia McManus, the contract with the FCSO is $1.2 million less than the previous contract with the WSPD. “All together I think we saved about $1.5 million in the SRO contracts this school year,” she said. Until students return to in-person learning, SROs will be as signed to meal pickup sites and remote learning centers throughout the district. “As you know our students are not in school right now so they are actually supporting us by providing coverage at meal pick-up sites, remote learning sites, and Wi-Fi bus locations,” McManus said. “The purpose of this is to provide an extra layer of security for our families that are utilizing and taking advantage of these resources. But more importantly than that ... it’s allowing them to build and strengthen relationships with our stu dents, our families, and the community while they’re out in the field.” Although the cost is less, the contract with the FCSO will increase the number of SROs. During the public comment portion of the meeting, several speakers urged the board to use the funding for other needs, such as increasing the num ber of nurses and mental health experts in schools across the district. Katie Sonnen-Lee, vice president of Action4Equity, a grassroots organization geared toward ensuring equity for every student in the district, said the money should be used to support students and families that need it most. She said in our state more than 45% ofjuvenile cases are referred by schools, and in Forsyth Coun ty, those number are even higher and in most cases the student is Black. “What if we spent that money on childcare support for the community dur ing this time? Health care? Providing des perately needed services for exceptional children ... or more support for families who are struggling to make it through this in a myriad of ways?” Sonnen-Lee asked. “We have to take a long hard look at whether our discipline and SRO sys tem is fixing problems or creating them.” To address concerns from the com munity and board members about in creased policing of students, Superinten dent Dr. Angela P. Hairston agreed to sit down with the FCSO and KPD to discuss changes that can be made to reconstruct the role of law enforcement in schools. When it came time to vote on the con tracts, the SRO contracts passed unani mously. The contract for North State Company Place passed 7-2 6-3. Gift your love one with a For more details call: 336-722-8624 ext. IIS or e-mail adv@wschronicle.com. out in The Chronicle Only $ 50 Includes photo RI* Telephone: 336-788-3020 Toll Free: 1-800-930-WASP (9277) Bo Gilliam President & CEO bogtriadpestcontrol@yahoo.com ^hank God fo, 39 Years in Business Pest Control. Termite Inspections F^A & VA Reports. Bed Bugs Senior Citizens are given a 1 time service FREE of charge (some stipulations may occur). www.wschronicle.com Forsyth County Public Library System launches ‘Books, Buttons and Bright Smiles’ project SUBMITTED ARTICLE When Jessica Hassler, a library supervisor in the children’s department at the Forsyth County Public Library system, realized that wearing face masks was making it more dif ficult to create a friendly atmosphere in the Library, she came up with the idea of creating three-inch but- and will be rolling it out to the public from Aug. 24 to Nov. 28. During library operat ing hours, customers can have their pictures taken and made into buttons like those the librarians are wearing. The Library hopes that the community will embrace the effort and wear the buttons in public as well as at the Library. Anyone can participate in the button project. Cus tomers are invited to come into their favorite FCPL branch, fill out a registra tion form and smile for the camera. They’ll receive their buttons in the mail within seven to ten busi ness days. Random but tons will also have a stick er inviting people to return to the Library to receive a Submitted photo Here are some of the buttons created by the Forsyth County Public Library system. tons to wear that showed librarians’ smiling faces. “I find myself smiling reassuringly at strangers as we edge past in the grocery aisle, only to realize that my mask has covered all friendly intent from sight,” she said. “The button was the result of a brainstorm on how to make the Li brary a little more wel coming as we’ve opened to the public.” Hassler worked with other Librarians on a proj ect they’re calling, “Books, Buttons & Bright Smiles,” County residents are also discovering new ways that the Library system can support them during the pandemic, Director Brian D. Hart said. “In addition to Books, Buttons and Bright Smiles, we’re providing access to print and digital reading materials, and a host of online databases that can assist residents with needs ranging from homework help for students to mar keting plans and funding opportunities for entrepre neurs,” he said. free book. These are books that have been donated and are suited to a range of ages. Photos for the buttons will be taken outside when weather permits, or inside while practicing social dis tancing. The Library will not keep the photos or use them in any way. After receiving their buttons, customers are en couraged to post their pic tures wearing their buttons on social media, using the hashtag #SMILEWITHF- CPL. Salemtowne and the greater Winston-Salem community share a deep connection going back to our Moravian roots. Since 1887, Salemtowne has provided care & services to older adults. Today, Salemtowne is the ideal setting for an enriched retirement. Salemtowne and its residents play a vital role in the Winston- Salem community as patrons for the arts, supporters of the community through volunteerism, as well as partners and benefactors of education. Strong connections make for strong communities. Stay involved and find deeper meaning in your retirement at Salemtowne. Learn more by calling one of our representatives at 336.714.2157 or email us at marketing@salemtowne.org. 190 Moravian Way Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 Satemtovme.org SALEMTOWNE Where every life shines Salemtowne is a nonprofit, Life Plan Community that provides the highest standards and options for seniors at all stages. CONTACTING THE CHRONICLE www.wschronicle.com To send news items: email news@wschronicle.com The Chronicle (USPS 067-910) was established by Ernest H. Pitt and Ndubisi Egemonye in 1974 and is 1300 E. Fifth St., Winston Salem, N.C. 27101 Main Phone Number: 336-722-8624 Advertising: Ext. 113 Circulation/Subscriptions: Ext. 100 To send a Letter to the Editor (350 words or less) or column (550 words or less): email letters@wschronicle.com For advertising: email adv@wschronicle.com For subscriptions: email plewis@wschronicle.com Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WSChron- icle Follow us on Twitter: WS Chronicle published every Thursday by Chronicle Media Group, LLC, 1300 E. Fifth St., Winston Salem, N.C. 27101. Periodicals postage paid at Winston-Salem, N.C. An nual subscription price is $30.72. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Chronicle, P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1636 Editor: Ext. 108
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 27, 2020, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75