CHARLOTTE — To strengthen school safety, Catholic Schools across the Diocese of Charlotte are adopting a uniform approach to security, including the presence of officers, beginning in January.
The diocese will expand staff training, safety protocols, and the use of armed security officers to all diocesan and parochial schools “to provide a consistent and professional security presence of experienced officers who are trained in de-escalation, emergency response and student protection,” Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., said in a Dec. 19 letter to parish and school officials.
“We’re always trying to raise the standards and be a leader when it comes to protecting the children in our schools,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Schools.
The new measures build upon safety measures the Catholic Schools Office put in place following a comprehensive security assessment of all schools in 2018 that involved parents, principals and security experts. That assessment led to a variety of security enhancements, including a partnership in 2022 with Praelio LLC, a Virginia-based security and risk management firm, to place armed security officers at the nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools.
The latest effort expands Praelio’s services to the 10 parish-based schools outside the MACS system.
Supported by an array of security measures – including cameras and other technology – security officers will provide a consistent presence throughout school buildings and grounds, during the school day as well as before and after hours. Officers are trained to collaborate with school officials, de-escalate situations, and act decisively to keep kids safe.
“We’ve had a great relationship with Praelio and we look forward to our continued partnership with them,” said Dan Ward, the diocese’s properties and risk management director. “Their officers bring a high level of professionalism to their work.”
Praelio’s officers are veteran security personnel, and many have backgrounds in the military and law enforcement.
They receive specialized preparation for school environments, and each officer is trained in school-based threat assessment, adolescent behavior, trauma response and effective communication, Ward said.
Praelio also provides training to school staff in emergency preparedness, first aid and crisis response, and it will perform security evaluations of all school campuses.
Monroe said the expanded security measures come in response to requests from parents, principals and faculty – particularly in the wake of a deadly shooting at a Catholic school Mass in Minneapolis last August.
To fund the new security measures, school officials expect to charge an annual security fee of $260 per student starting in 2026.
“In order to make this a reality, we’re asking for an investment from all of our parents across the entire diocese,” Monroe said.
The diocese will work closely with schools to help them implement the new security program, including transitioning out of any existing security agreements they might have.
“The mission of Catholic education depends upon safe and secure learning environments where faith, academics and formation can flourish,” Bishop Martin wrote in his Dec. 19 letter to principals. “This unified initiative reflects our shared responsibility to safeguard our students, support our staff and strengthen trust with our families.”
— Christina Lee Knauss