Recently, there have been multiple safety threats in our region directed at schools. Fortunately, those who made these threats are being pursued by law enforcement and, hopefully, will be prosecuted.

When we hear of these threats in our schools we take them very seriously. While Tyrrell County Schools has not been mentioned in any of these rumors, I want to assure our school community that we are taking measures every day to increase our vigilance and safety for our students and staff.

Feb. 23 we met with a consultant to enhance safety in doorways and entrances on our high school campus, we submitted a grant proposal to the State Board of Education for an additional SRO [school resource officer], and we are preparing to move forward with a new anonymous tip line for students and families called Sandy Hook Promise.

We will continue to conduct lockdown drills so that we are practiced in our safety procedures, but the most important strategy is that we remain vigilant, and that our school community trusts that we are working every day to keep our students and staff safe.