Worcester school board calls for halt to verbal back-and-forth on school violence
As the Worcester County Board of Education continues to wrestle with school violence, it calls for a halt to criticism from public safety officials.
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Despite rebuttals by the board that the data used by county officials were taken out of context, if not entirely inaccurate, County Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli and Heiser pulled no punches when criticizing the board.
Citing an increase in student-involved incidents that included violent and indecent acts in schools, the two took aim at the Worcester County Board of Education for not being responsive to the negative trends. Noting that the two offices have been proactive in recommending moves to make schools safer, they criticized the board for not yet implementing a single one and "sweeping these incidents under a very big rug."
In a report presented by the sheriff, between 2019 and 2022, physical attacks on students increased 67%, fights in schools increased 171% and verbal threats against students rose 32%. There was also a 225% increase of attacks on teachers and staff and a 200% increase on verbal assaults on teachers and staff.