On Saturday, Carrboro High School announced that it was operating in “Secure Mode” after police were dispatched to a nearby neighborhood and a sudden power outage left the campus without lighting or internet service. The school district posted the notice on its official channels, reassuring parents that there is no safety threat inside the building.

What Secure Mode Means for Students and Staff

Secure Mode requires that all exterior doors remain closed and locked for the duration of the incident. Inside the school, teachers and administrators are continuing instruction “as normally as possible” while the backup generator powers essential emergency systems. The generator is keeping critical safety equipment running, but most classroom lighting and the school’s Wi‑Fi network are offline.

Power Restoration Timeline

Piedmont Electric, the utility serving the area, estimates that power will be restored after 5 p.m. Once service returns, normal lighting and internet connectivity should resume. In the meantime, the school is using portable lighting in key areas to maintain a safe learning environment.

Schedule and Activities

Despite the outage, the district confirmed that dismissal will still occur at the regular time of 4 p.m. Families will be notified promptly if the schedule needs to change. After‑school programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities are slated to proceed as planned, with coaches and club leaders adapting to the limited resources.

Community Response

Parents expressed relief that the school’s safety protocols were activated quickly and that communication was clear. “We appreciate the district’s transparency and the steps taken to keep our children safe,” said one parent who requested anonymity. Local law enforcement officials emphasized that the police presence was unrelated to any threat at the school and was part of a routine response to a neighborhood incident.

Looking Ahead

The school district will review its emergency procedures after the incident to ensure readiness for any future power disruptions or security concerns. Officials encourage families to stay tuned to the district’s website and social‑media channels for real‑time updates.

For more information, parents can contact Carrboro High’s main office at (919) 555‑1234 or visit the Chapel Hill‑Carrboro City Schools website.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.