Moore County School Board tackles student fights, expands safety measures, and moves forward on $1.2M Union Pines artificial turf grant

During the Aug. 11 regular meeting, the Moore County School Board discussed safety concerns, from fighting to transportation and voted to complete an artificial turf grant application.

Member David Hensley said the board did not receive notice of the seven fights during the last two weeks of school at Crain’s Creek Middle School.

Superintendent Tim Locklair said the structural failure to inform the board of the discipline issues was now resolved.

Locklair reviewed the fights and said six of the seven fights were connected to issues off campus. In each fight, there were two fighters.

Crain’s Creek Middle School had 25 fights during the 2024-2025 school year. Each student received the most severe short-term discipline, 10-day suspensions. Most fights occurred upon entry or in class transitions.

Students will now pick up breakfast to take to first period instead of being allowed to congregate in the cafeteria. Buses will unload one at a time.

School Resources Officers will monitor past offenders, and more staff will monitor hallways during class transitions.

“Without safety and security and well-behaved students, learning cannot take place,” Locklair said.

The transportation department reported major strides in student safety, route efficiency, and driver support.

In the past two years, the district doubled the number of stop-arm cameras on buses to deter illegal passing and capture violations on video.

New safe driving technology, including lane departure alerts and collision avoidance systems, will debut this year. Routes now feature more centralized group stops, right-hand pickups, and reduced roadside pickups to limit road hazards.

Safety signs will be placed at key intersections, and public service announcements will remind motorists to watch for buses.

The new Pinecrest High School bus entrance is nearing completion, with the drive expected to open by the start of school to keep buses out of car rider traffic.

Moore County Schools advanced school safety with new technology, standardized systems, and updated procedures.

The district unified all school video security on a centrally managed platform, funded through a Department of Justice grant in 2020, replacing analog cameras with IP-based models.

 High-priority entrances and exterior areas were completed in 2023, with additional coverage ongoing through 2026.

A districtwide radio communication system, launched in 2022 with federal and state grants, now provides every school with enterprise-grade digital radios, expanded range through installed repeaters, and will connect to a district Command Center by 2026 for emergency broadcasts and bus coordination.

The Centegix Safety Platform, set for full implementation in 2025-2026, will offer campus-wide coverage, alert badges for staff, integration with school paging and display systems, mobile apps for responders, and direct links to county first responders. Visitor management protocols now require all guests to check in at the main office, show identification, sign in, and wear school-issued identification recognized by staff.

One Time Project Fund Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Grant Application with Moore County Tourism Development Authority

Concerning the application for a $600,000 CVB grant for funding Union Pines’ sports field, Vice Chair Shannon Davis was the only member who voted against artificial turf.

The grant offers matching funds for projects that enhance tourism. The artificial turf installation project was estimated at $1.2 million.

“I’m for the real deal, what the Lord gave us. We’re kind of at capacity…for tourism and what we’re attracting is golfers and maybe some horse folks. I don’t think Moore County is quite ready for tourism from sports. Maybe three, five years down the road …and when I hear places like Apex, Holly Springs and North Raleigh, those are not the kind of places Moore County wants to be,” Davis said.

“It would be refreshing not to drive to Apex or Raleigh for a tournament…Most tournaments are countercyclical to golf,” Hensley said about most school athletic tournaments being held in the winter.

Should Moore County Schools receive the CVB grant, Union Pines’ artificial turf would be completed next summer.

The members said artificial turf saves money for taxpayers, benefits tourism and athletes, cancels concern for the grass field being maintained and watered from a sole pond and means less travel for parents.

While a board member shared that artificial turf has a higher risk of injury, the board voted five to one for submitting the grant application.

Aug. 12, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers