Officials at a troubled Massachusetts school district last week asked Democratic Gov. Maura Healey to send in the National Guard to enforce discipline, but Healey reportedly refused.
Four members of the Brockton School Committee have asked the governor to deploy the National Guard to address problems such as repeated student and teacher absenteeism, violence and drug use in schools, and student verbal abuse of staff. mass live report. Healey denied the request, arguing that deploying the National Guard was “not appropriate,” the newspaper reported.
“I don't think the National Guard is appropriate,” Healey told reporters Monday, according to the newspaper. “We understand that the school board and members of the community have expressed concerns.”
Some Brockton school officials called for the National Guard.Here's why Healy said no https://t.co/GswVQvnRel
— Mass Live News (@maslivenews) February 27, 2024
The Healy school administration responded to the request and said it would issue a grant to pay for an audit of the school's “safety status” to assess next best options, the newspaper said.Massachusetts Secretary of Education patrick tutwiler It is also willing to work more closely with the district to resolve safety issues, MassLive reported. (Related: The Boston Globe asked readers if they agreed with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's immigration decision. Most said no: report)
The state of Massachusetts awarded Mr. Brockton a grant to conduct a safety audit of Brockton High School to determine how best to improve the situation. https://t.co/09tuBQy1ef
— NBC10 Boston (@NBC10Boston) February 27, 2024
“As governor, I want to ensure that every student and educator in our state, including Mr. Brockton, is safe and able to attend school and learn in a safe environment,” Healey told reporters, according to the newspaper. Ta.
Back on February 16th, a majority of the city's Board of Education members letter to the chairman, and Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan Requesting military assistance, the mayor forwarded the request to Healy. The media reported that even educators are cutting back on classes due to the various problems schools have faced in the past few months.
“The situation has reached a critical point and an astonishing 35 teachers have recently been absent,” the letter said, according to MassLive.
In addition to drug abuse, violence, and attendance issues, trespassers have reportedly been found on campus grounds. (Related: Homeless drug addict broke into high school bathroom and left used needles, students say)
According to the paper, “The National Guard's expertise in crisis management and community support allows us to provide critical temporary intervention and develop comprehensive, long-term solutions in consultation with all stakeholders.” ” wrote the committee members.
Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez also opposes the idea of the National Guard as a member of the committee, MassLive continued.
Other Brockton-area officials also expressed opposition, including Mayor Sullivan, several city council members, and the letter author's fellow commissioners, according to one report. another MassLive report.
