Parents pack Ringgold board meeting demanding something be done about violence in school

NEW EAGLE, Pa. — Parents in the Ringgold School District say they’re fed up with the violent fights and bullying happening in their kids’ schools.

Dozens of parents showed up to Wednesday night’s school board meeting and pleaded with the school board and superintendent to make some changes before a student is seriously hurt.

Jamie Allen told the board that bullying in the middle school is out of control.

“My daughter deserves to feel safe and protected in school,” Allen said. “We should not be catering to bullies. Make them suffer the consequences of their choices.”

Some of the fights spilling out in hallways and in bathrooms in schools in the district are even posted to an Instagram page, which highlights recent fights.

“It’s absolutely insane,” Alexis Trubiani tells Channel 11. “We need a change, and it starts tonight.”

>>>READ MORE: Parents of students in Ringgold School District say school is not safe

Some parents tell Channel 11 that their kids won’t go to the bathroom all day at school because of the fights, while bullies are given “no contact contracts” instead of harsh punishments or accountability for their actions. Some parents say they’ve pulled their kids out of the district. Others are deeply concerned for the mental health of their kids, as their kids are in counseling and are on anxiety and depression medication at just 11 and 12 years old. Some parents want to see the metal detectors in the middle school being used instead of daily temperature checks and more security in the hallways, classrooms, and bathrooms.

“They have money,” Trubiani adds. “Spend it on security. Spend it on safety.”

Multiple parents say the district has dismissed their serious concerns, and calls or emails about safety issues aren’t returned. The superintendent, Randall Skrinjorich, disagrees. He says the safety of all students and staff is the highest priority.

“We are aware of the uptick in stress, aggression and lack of conflict resolution skills,” Superintendent Skrinjorich said to a crowd of parents. “It’s unfortunate but very understandable given the trauma and uncertainty of the last two years.”

Superintendent Skrinjorich adds not all the fights are happening on school property and he believes some are staged for effect. He says social media and traditional media are fueling the fire and that this type of turmoil in schools is happening all over the country, not just in Ringgold.

Parents of students in Ringgold School District say school is not safe and demand action

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