The former Macon County sheriff was the only one interviewed for a school safety and security coordinator position approved by Macon County Schools on Dec. 5.
Robert L. Holland, who retired as sheriff the end of November, will start as MCS safety and security coordinator on Jan. 3, 2023. The contract runs through the end of 2023, and he will earn $50,000, plus reimbursements for use of personal equipment and travel, according to a copy of the contract obtained by The Franklin Press. There are no retirement and healthcare benefits associated with the position.
“While I’ve had the opportunity to retire from a 30-year career in law enforcement, it doesn’t mean I’m finished serving in my community,” Holland stated. “My life has been about trying to make a difference for others, and I have tried to show that by giving my very best in all I do,” Holland said. “Today, I remain just as committed, and I’m excited about the possibilities of what our collaborative efforts can do to improve the multifaceted issue of school safety.”
MCS Superintendent Chris Baldwin, responding to a series of questions regarding the creation of the position, said last week that the school security coordinator position “has been in discussion for a few months.”
“When I was asked recently about the possibility of serving within our school system as part of a comprehensive approach in reviewing, enhancing and improving school safety in our district, I was excited to be able to continue to serve in an area that has always been important to me,” Holland explained. “School safety was a priority for me even before I was sheriff. It has also been a priority for our superintendent and our school board.”
Asked why the position was created, Baldwin said that school safety and security “has been identified as the top priority for the MCS system” and that the position would have been filled if Holland had not been available.
“Issues around the security of schools grow and evolve with each passing day,” Baldwin explained. “Our school staff are tasked with many responsibilities and must work diligently to meet all the educational, social, health and safety needs of the students in our schools. The challenges placed upon staff have grown in all areas, but school safety simply cannot be compromised as we attempt to provide our students with the best educational opportunities available.”
Baldwin cited the May 24 school shooting of an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, as a reason for creating the position. Responding law enforcement to the Uvalde shooting has been criticized for lack of immediate action and having no established hierarchy on the scene while the gunman was in a classroom for over an hour.
“Our school board saw the need to provide our schools with a person in charge of coordinating all of the security measures and allow our educational staff an opportunity to focus more of their time on the important job of instructing our students,” Baldwin stated.
The safety and security coordination position was developed “as a result of careful research of this position in many other school systems across the nation” Baldwin stated, citing similar positions at Henderson County Public Schools and Rutherford County Schools.
“This may be a new initiative for our local school system, but it’s not something new in other school systems around the country and in our state,” Holland said.
Baldwin said he broached the topic of adding the position “earlier this fall as a part of our regular protected discussion of school security measures.”
“Based upon that discussion the board decided to add the position,” Baldwin explained.
Holland became a potential candidate early in the process, Baldwin said. The position was not advertised due to no legal requirement to do so “where clearly qualified candidates are known, this can provide us a significant savings of administrative time.”
Baldwin cited Holland’s background and understanding of school security as a reason for being the prime candidate.
“Mr. Holland has a unique understanding of each of our communities and the schools in those communities,” Baldwin stated. “He has actively participated in the development of our school safety plans. Finally, he has earned a level of respect from our students, staff and parents that is unequaled. Once Mr. Holland became a consideration; it was obvious that he was our first choice for the position and an advertisement for the position was not necessary.”
Baldwin confirmed no other interviews were conducted.
Along with serving 20 years as Macon County sheriff, Baldwin noted Holland has an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, credit for training through the N.C. Justice Academy and serving on the N.C. Governor’s Task Force for Safer Schools for two governors.
The position is being paid for by pandemic relief funds, which runs through December 2024.
“These funds may be allocated to respond to school safety and the role it plays in improving the social and emotional learning of students,” Baldwin stated. “There are also school safety grants and other funding opportunities available that are being actively pursued.”
Holland’s responsibilities “may lead to the identification of new and unforeseen security measures that require additional funding, but his primary role will be to coordinate and direct all of the many measures that we already have in place.”
Looking forward, Baldwin said it’s “unlikely” the need for the position won’t be there in 2024. Additionally, Baldwin added that there’s “no indication that Mr. Holland would not continue in the school security coordinator position beyond 2023.”
“I look forward to working with my new colleagues within the school system,” Holland said. “I also look forward to continuing to build great partnerships with all the other agencies that play a role in school safety, including our new sheriff and his SROs that are instrumental in keeping our schools safe. While I will no longer be sheriff, my commitment to the citizens of this community will not waiver. I’ll also continue to support Sheriff Holbrooks and his staff in all that they do for our community.”