IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2012
Contact: Bonnie Reidy
Chief Communications Officer
704-866-6118
704-867-1711, Evenings and Weekends

e-mail: breidy@gaston.k12.nc.us

Gastonia, N.C. - According to the School Crime and Violence Report released by the state last Thursday, Gaston County Schools’ incidents of crime decreased from last year.  Gaston’s rate of 4.11 is lower than the state rate of 7.95.

Of the top ten largest school systems in the state and school districts in the southwest region, Gaston County Schools continues to have one of the lowest incidents of crime.  The number of short and long-term suspensions is also down. The report, which includes school crime and violence, suspensions and expulsions, use of corporal punishment and the dropout rate, is for the 2010-2011 school year. 

Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon said, “Obviously, we are extremely pleased with the decreases in the GCS school crime rate and the reduction in suspensions.   School safety is our number one priority and we take this very seriously.  Gaston County Schools continues to have the lowest incidents of crime in the region and the lowest of the top ten largest school districts in the state, which reflects the hard work of our principals, resources officers and everyone in the school safety arena.” 

He continues, “School safety is a collaborative effort by the school district and the local law enforcement agencies in Gaston County – they work hand-in-hand with our schools to ensure student and employee safety and from all indications our joint partnership is paying big dividends.”  

The following charts are attached

Chart I – Two-Year Comparison of Incidents of Violence – Grades K-12

• 2010-2011 – Gaston County Schools  – 4.11 
• 2009-2010 – Gaston County Schools – 5.07

* The state incident of violence rate is 7.95

Chart II – Two-Year Comparison of Suspensions and Expulsions

• GCS Suspensions and Expulsions - 2010-2011 
  o 2010-2011 – Short-term Suspensions – 6,213
  o 2010-2011 – Long-term Suspensions – 46
  o 2010-2011 – Expulsions  – 2     

• GCS Suspensions and Expulsions - 2009-2010
  o 2009-2010 – Short-term Suspensions – 6,684
  o 2009-2010 – Long-term Suspensions – 51
  o 2009-2010– Expulsions  – 1      

Chart III – GCS Five-Year High School Dropout Rate – Grades 9-12

• 2010-2011 – 4.46 dropout rate 
• 2009-2010 – 4.43 dropout rate  
• 2008-2009 – 5.60 dropout rate 
• 2007-2008 – 5.69 dropout rate
• 2006-2007 – 6.29 dropout rate