Durham Public Schools holds school safety summit for parents

The discussion about what’s being done to protect students will be held at Jordan High School, 6806 Garrett Road, at 6 p.m. The meeting will highlight security measures already in place and allow for brainstorming of other steps to keep students safe.

Both students were taken into custody and each was charged with one count of possession of a stolen firearm and one count of possession of a weapon on educational property. Both students will be suspended for 365 days.

Following the incident, Durham Public Schools Board of Education recently passed a resolution urging parents to follow state law and secure their firearms at home.

School board chair Bettina Umstead told WRAL News that safely storing firearms at home is another step toward curbing violence in the Bull City.

"We need to make sure that in every single one of those households the weapon is secure," Umstead said. "Unfortunately, we have seen a rise of incidents of gun violence that has happened in schools, as well as in our community. So this is one way that we can think about."

According to DPS, the district consistently joins forces with the leaders of emergency and safety organizations to bring forward common sense and cutting-edge systems.

Monday's school safety summit will be an effort to highlight some of the work already underway to protect students and staff and create an open space to brainstorm on what more can be done.

Another event will be held Sept. 26 at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability.

Parents and members of the community can register for both events online.