K-12 Charter School chooses leading safe room technology in response to ongoing security threats at schools around the country
SMITHFIELD – Neuse Charter School kicked off the 2022-2023 school year with a new line of defense for students and staff on Monday, August 8th. The only K-12 independently operated charter school in Johnston County announced the installation of the RhinoWare® Door Lockdown System. The new security system will give Neuse Charter School students, educators, and staff the most advanced technology for protection during active shooter situations.
Open since 2007, Neuse Charter School now serves over 900 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. According to Superintendent Dr. Melissa Blackwell, the school places safety as one of its highest priorities.
“From the time the school was chartered in 2007, Neuse Charter School has been fully committed to providing a positive, safe, and creative learning environment. The installation of RhinoWare further illustrates our continued focus on safety for the staff, parents, and students of Neuse Charter School.”
Since 2013, RhinoWare has provided advanced lockdown protection in thousands of schools across the country and corporate campuses and military installations worldwide. In addition to a host of public and private schools, RhinoWare protects people at the United Nations, Fort Knox, and airports across the country. RhinoWare products are Fire, Life Safety, and ADA compliant, in addition to compliance with all North Carolina building codes.
RhinoWare version 4, now installed at Neuse Charter School, features single-motion activation and single-motion egress. The lockdown system will engage, creating a safe room within one second, designed to be intuitively activated by children as young as five years old.
Neuse Charter School worked with RhinoSEC, an authorized dealer of RhinoWare Door Lockdown System products in the Washington, DC area, to procure RhinoWare. In addition to RhinoSEC’s Andy Caldwell, the Neuse Charter team was joined onsite for the RhinoWare installation by David Lee, head of installation services, and Executive Vice President Charlie Miller, both from RhinoWare manufacturer Campus Safety Products.
“The advent of RhinoWare to protect our greatest treasure, our children, is something that gives me tremendous pride and an increased peace of mind,” continues Dr. Blackwell. “I know our parents and family members will agree.”
About Neuse Charter School
Neuse Charter School is the only independent school K-12 charter school in Johnston County, NC. Neuse Charter School educates K-12 students through a personalized approach to growth and achievement. High expectations and a focus on diverse perspectives provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in a global society.
This is nice and all, but until we fully arm teachers (and select students), a locked door doesn’t actually bring down an active shooter! Only a good person with a gun can stop a bad person with a gun!