Violence up in N.C. schools.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Violent incidents climbed last year in N.C. public schools, with more students bringing weapons and controlled substances to school and a greater number committing sexual assaults and assaults leading to serious injuries.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools defied that trend, posting a decline from 6.3 violent crimes per 1,000 students in 1999-2000 to 5.7 such crimes last school year. Officials credit new initiatives such as random security checks and additional security on campuses and bus routes that have frequent problems.

"We've added programs and people have gotten the message," said Ralph Taylor, director of the safe schools and alternative education programs. "Kids know that there are consequences."

Most categories of crimes fell for Charlotte-Mecklenburg, but sexual assaults climbed. Taylor said the system started a sexual harassment program for offenders this year to curb that trend.

Statewide, schools reported an average 6.2 violent acts per 1,000 students last year, compared to 5.98 the year before, according to the state education department's annual school violence report. It was the first increase in school violence since 1996-97.

Elementaries saw a 12.5 percent jump, middles a 1.9 percent increase and high school crime was up 5.5 percent.

State Superintendent Mike Ward said that while schools are generally safe places, he's concerned about this latest report _ especially in light of security concerns raised by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.