A report released by the San Benito High School Board of
Trustees confirmed a fact many educators and students in local
schools have known for a long time, students are becoming harder to
control with each passing year.
A report released by the San Benito High School Board of Trustees confirmed a fact many educators and students in local schools have known for a long time, students are becoming harder to control with each passing year.
Whether you place the blame on a lack of parental involvement, influence by the television, music and video game industries or any of a number of other factors, it’s clear something must be done before it’s too late.
At San Benito High School, an increase in fights on school property has caused concern among school board members and they’re taking a proactive approach to finding a solution. Last year the school had 50 fights on campus. This year the number has already climbed to 61 – that’s more than one fight a week. The report also documented an increase in the number of alcohol and drug-related suspensions from 21 to 30.
One of the solutions the school is exploring is installing security cameras in student areas. Considering the rise in school violence and the fear caused by school shootings such as Columbine, it may not be such a bad idea. Of course, students and their parents have concerns about privacy issues, but they should not outweigh the importance of ensuring schools remain a safe place for learning.
Likewise, the school’s efforts to educate students in nonviolent conflict resolutions and increasing administrators’ presence at school activities are also warranted.
Waiting until high school to reinforce positive solutions to negative problems, however, may be too late to evoke the necessary change. Perhaps the high school district can partner with local elementary and middle schools to influence behavior while the students are still young and more impressionable. A program utilizing high school student mentors for younger kids would do wonders for increasing both the younger and older students’ understanding that solving problems through fighting is not the answer.
Wherever the solution to this serious problem may lay, the high school board seems interested in finding it. Though the fighting problem could certainly be worse than it is right now, any attempt to lessen the problem and increase security for all students at the high school is definitely worth the effort. When it comes to keeping a safe learning environment in local schools, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.
