DURHAM, GRANVILLE SCHOOL VIOLENCE DECREASES

Person Reports Increase

DURHAM -- Violent acts at school dropped in the Durham and Granville County school systems last school year but rose in Person County, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction reported Friday.

Statewide, reported incidents also rose, totaling 7,586, or 6.3 acts per 1,000 students - up from 7,229 incidents in 1999-2000, or 6 incidents per 1,000 students.

Five years ago, in 1996-97 there were 8,141 reported incidents statewide, or 6.7 incidents per 1,000 students.

Also, statewide, three types of incidents accounted for 88 percent of all reportable acts. Those were possession of a weapon, possession of controlled substances and assault on school personnel.

Possession of a weapon increased 4 percent from 1999-2000, possession of a controlled substance increased 12 percent and assault on school personnel decreased 3 percent.

Durham Public Schools saw a decrease in violent acts from a total of 200, a rate of 6.9 incidents per 1,000 students for the 1999-2000 school year, to 181 total acts of violence, a rate of 6.3 for the 2000-01 school year.

In Granville County, violent acts dropped from 5.7 per 1,000 students in 1999-2000 to 5.4 per 1,000 students last school year.

Granville County has maintained a lower than state average on the school violence report for five years.

"Violence in our society is unsettling to all of us," said Judy Melton, director of student services. "When violence happens at school, we are even more deeply disturbed because both educators and parents want children to be in the safest educational environment possible."

"The issue of violence is not just a school issue, but also a community issue," added Granville County Schools Superintendent Tom Williams. "Our school buildings themselves are not violent places, but sometimes students become frustrated and resort to solving problems through violent measures."

In Person County, the number of violent incidents increased to 33 this year, compared to nine occurrences during the 1999-2000 school year.

The Person County Schools reported a rate of 5.6 incidents per 1,000 students, up from 1.5 incidents per 1,000 students last year.

According to state numbers, 14 incidents at Person County schools involved controlled substances, up from just three during last school year.

In February, Sheriff's Office investigators arrested on LSD charges eight youths, including one high school student and others who had recently dropped out.

Deputies found about 119 doses of LSD, concealed on pieces of SweetTarts and being sold for $5 a hit. They also found cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia such as digital scales in two cars parked at Person High School parking lot.

High school students reported the drug activities to teachers and administrators.

Cases of assault on school personnel doubled compared to last school year, when four cases were reported. Schools reported no cases of assault resulting in serious injury in 1999-2000, but five cases were reported this year.

In a written statement, Superintendent Ronnie Bugnar said he was "disappointed" at the results.

"I want the public to know that swift, stern disciplinary action was taken against those who committed this acts," he wrote.

This is the eighth year that the Department of Public Instruction has reported school crime and violence.