RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond School Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden announced changes will take place, effective immediately, at Armstrong High School following a large fight Friday. He announced there is a zero tolerance policy now in place, and he told parents if students commit an arrestable offense they will be arrested immediately.
The fight, which involved 12 students, resulted in the school being put under Code Red. The Code Red movement around the school was restricted for the safety of students and staff. Dr. Bedden said he hates to create a school to jail pipeline but that the 20-30 students who have been causing chaos at the school of late have created situations that are not safe.
Dr. Bedden said he hates to create a school to jail pipeline but that the 20-30 students who have been causing chaos at the school of late have created situations that are not safe.
Richmond Schools will add uniformed officers and security to a full time staff, effective next week.
"Their focus will be on the students who don't follow rules and regulations," Dr. Bedden said. "Those students who don't respond to the appropriate direction from staff, and any offense, that is an arrestable offense -- they will be arrested."
An additional measure to create a calmer environment is a change to the lunch program. Next week, Armstrong High School will move to a streamlined bag lunch program and students will be called in sections to eat.
No one was injured in the fight, a school spokesperson said.
