By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A Buffalo Public high school appears to be a hot spot for violence. For a second day in a row, a fight broke out Wedenesday between some students at Lafayette High School on the city's West Side.
The assistant school principal, Lisa Robinson, and a teachers aide were both injured as they tried to break up the fight between two male students. Later another fight occurred outside. On Tuesday, a fight broke out between two female students that involved a box cutter.
Students involved in Wednesday's fights were arrested. The assistant principal was checked out at a hospital, and is said to be recovering at home.
Schools Superintendent Dr. James Williams says they must pinpoint the problem.
"We will try to find what we are doing wrong and what we need to change," Williams said.
Williams says he is puzzled by the ongoing troubles at Lafayette. He ordered beefed up security to appear at the school on Wednesday following Tuesday's fight. But Williams says after talking to school security, he has learned of several factors that could be causing troubles at Lafayette. He says the lunch breaks may be too long. But only the teachers union would be able to change that time. Williams says there are also too many situations involving students and adults.
"I've never seen, in my 37 years in this business -- and I've worked at some tough high schools -- a situation where students are getting into altercations with adults," Williams said.
Williams says there are too many older students attending city schools and students involved in past altercations appear to be repeat offenders.
Buffalo Teachers Federation president Phil Rumore says the district must open an alternative school as soon as possible to curb violence. Williams says he supports an alternative high, but it probably would not open until next school year.
"I've said that from day one. There is a need for an alternative high school," Williams said. "Right now, we have a committee, which the BTF is serving on along with other cross section of the community, to look at design and structure and come to me with a recommendation for an alternative high school in this system."
There are no metal detectors in city schools to check for weapons. Williams says for now that is not a consideration. He says there would be more security guards in place at Lafayette Thursday.