CLARKSBURG, Md. — A whistleblower reported more fighting Monday among students at Clarksburg High School in Montgomery County after serious disruptions Friday sent one staffer to a hospital and resulted in a letter to parents over the weekend.
Now, some teachers say they are afraid for their safety and are worried that school discipline policies don’t protect them or students.
"It was a safety concern on Friday," said retired special education specialist Deb Waxman, who continues to work at the school as a substitute and athletic coach. "When you have one or two fights, that's one thing. But when you have five or six of them in the space of an hour's time, it then becomes a safety issue."
Waxman says she is going public on behalf of coworkers who have more to lose. She reported one colleague came to work Monday with a badly bruised arm from attempting to break up a fight Friday.
"I don't feel safe anymore," Waxman said.
A security worker was injured Friday according to school authorities, and a letter was sent to parents Sunday.
"A small number of students making regrettable decisions .... led to physical altercations," the letter read. "However, our dedicated staff swiftly intervened, allowing security and administration to address the situations promptly."
Waxman believes student discipline reforms aiming to reduce suspensions and focus on restorative counselling and discipline are not working.
"I know that the staff, that the administration is trying to handle it, but I think their hands are tied from the higher ups in Montgomery County Public Schools as to what they're allowed to do," she complained.
Montgomery County Public Schools spokesman Cristopher Cram called complaints that administrators are not enforcing discipline policies "nonsense." He cited the state-approved 5-level student code of conduct, saying that discipline for causing "serious bodily injury" or any injury caused intentionally, results in a level 4 offense which carries a short term suspension or worse.
Cram noted discipline is carried out under a Memorandum of Understanding with Montgomery County police, should law enforcement authorities become involved.
"When such incidents arise, we collaborate with central office partners to address those incidents in alignment with the MCPS code of conduct, while continuing to provide further support to individuals involved in conflicts," Cram wrote in an email response to WUSA9.
Cram said families play a crucial role in fostering a positive, peaceful, and safe school environment. Administrators ask for parents to help with the following actions:
- Reinforce positive behaviors by acknowledging and celebrating them
- Discourage your children from engaging in social media behaviors that perpetuate conflicts (filming, posting, commenting)
- Encourage your children to confide in a trusted adult if they hear rumors of potential conflicts
- Attend school events with your children
- Get involved in the PTSA
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