By Brenda L. Holmes
Two separate fighting incidents on March 18 have lead to the suspension of 12 Ben Davis High School students.
“It all started at about 12:45,” said Mary McDermott-Lang, community relations person for the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township. “There was a fight in one of the restrooms involving two boys. One of the boys was arrested and the suspension process was started for both of them.”
McDermott-Lang said the fight carried over into the school’s student parking lot after school was dismissed.
“There were 10 boys involved in the fight in the parking lot,” she said. “The process for suspending them was started as well.”
The administration decided to have more officers on campus on Friday to make sure the rest of the student body remained safe.
McDermott-Lang said the district has four full-time security offers who split their time visiting all of the school buildings.
“We have five other officers that we contract with,” she said. “We decided to call them in for the entire day today (Friday).”
She said there were no other incidents of fighting reported but the administrative team will be looking at the situation on a day to day basis.
“We will see how it goes next week as well,” McDermott-Lang said. “And next week is the last week before spring break. Since it went smoothly today I have a good feeling about it.”
She said there have been several rumors about the incident, including that the fighting was gang related.
“But at this time we have no evidence that any of this was affiliated with any gangs,” she said.
brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com
