Thursday, October 22, 2026, marked the first school-wide lockdown in New Dimensions’ 25-year history. The Board reviewed that day's events and is grateful there was ultimately no threat on campus and that every student and staff member remained safe.
As the situation unfolded, the administration kept student and staff safety at the center of every decision. Executive Director Jennifer Pecoraro responded calmly and decisively and, as concerns escalated, sought assistance from law enforcement. She followed the safety guidance provided, adjusted the school’s response as new information became available, and communicated with the NDS community throughout the incident.
We are also deeply grateful to our faculty and staff. During an extremely stressful situation, they remained focused on protecting the students in their care and following established procedures. Their commitment to our students was evident throughout the day.
Safety Improvements Underway
Every emergency gives us an opportunity to look carefully at what worked, what did not, and where we can improve. This incident allows us to evaluate our established safety procedures in a real-world situation and identify ways to strengthen our preparedness. Several improvements are already underway:
Staff training: We are updating our emergency response protocols and requiring all faculty and staff to participate in hands-on training this semester, focusing on lockdown procedures and emergency communication. We will repeat training each spring and fall to reinforce expectations and maintain readiness.
Lockdown drills: We are increasing the number of full-school lockdown drills and incorporating updated scenarios and guidance. These drills will help students and staff respond more confidently and consistently during an emergency.
Communication systems: We are upgrading the school’s phone and intercom systems to improve emergency communication across campus. This work began earlier this school year and will help ensure staff can quickly and consistently receive critical information, especially during an emergency.
Coordination with public safety: We are meeting with Morganton Public Safety to review emergency response procedures and strengthen coordination between the school and first responders. This work will help clarify roles, improve communication, and ensure a coordinated response when student safety is involved.
We also recognize the impact an event like this can have on students and families, and school support remains available to those who need it.
Staying Connected
We are committed to keeping our school community informed as this work continues. Families with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the school at (828) 437-5753 or jpecoraro@ndschool.org. We also welcome families to attend the November 19 Board meeting. While Board members may not respond to questions during the public comment portion of the meeting, we value the opportunity to hear from our community and continue the conversation about school safety.
We close by emphasizing the outcome that matters most: our students were protected, our staff responded with their safety in mind, and no one was harmed. We are incredibly grateful for Mrs. Pecoraro’s leadership and the care our faculty and staff showed. As we apply what we learned on October 22, we will continue strengthening the procedures, communication, training, and systems that help keep our school community safe. The Board fully supports Mrs. Pecoraro and the NDS staff as they continue this work to ensure New Dimensions is prepared, coordinated, and focused on maintaining a safe and supportive environment for every student.
Board of Directors
New Dimensions Charter School
