A school district in Massachusetts is resorting to what some would call drastic measures to help get their district under control. The Brockton School Committee voted 4-3 to ask Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey to send in the state’s National Guard to stop violence and address security concerns in the school district. While Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan doesn’t agree with the request, he forwarded it to the governor on Friday, saying “National Guard soldiers are not the answer.” Gov. Healey’s office responded to the request by saying “Our administration is committed to ensuring that schools are safe and supportive environments for students, educators, and staff.”
The committee members who voted in support of the request held a press conference yesterday, where they pressed their case, saying that teacher shortages and budget deficits were to blame for the problems in the district. Committee member Tony Rodrigues said at the conference, “If you support safety in our schools, you will support the National Guard to come in here and keep our schools safe.” Ana Oliver added, “We’re not asking them to deploy a whole army to our school. We’re asking for support.” Teachers have reported fighting, drug use, and verbal abuse of the staff at Brockton High School.
Source: ABC News