Press Article: Concerns Rise Over Student Safety at Perry Meridian High School Following Assault
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A Perry Meridian High School student found guilty of assaulting a classmate in September will not face jail time, sparking outrage among the victim’s family and raising concerns about student safety in public schools across Indiana. The assailant will instead wear an ankle monitor and attend anger management classes.
The incident involved an unprovoked attack in a hallway, according to the victim’s attorneys, who described the attack as leaving a significant gash on the student’s forehead requiring stitches. Remarkably, the perpetrator was released from juvenile detention before the injured student was discharged from the hospital.
Following the assault on September 13, Perry Township Schools issued a statement claiming the event was an “isolated incident” and addressed by the school police. While they indicated that disciplinary action would be taken, they did not mention any plans for enhancing security measures.
The family’s attorneys, Catherine Michael and Tammy Meyer, have criticized the school for its handling of bullying and violence, asserting that there is a troubling pattern of such behavior at Perry Meridian High School. They called for urgent action from school administrators to ensure a safer environment, stating, “This incident underscores a growing and alarming pattern of violence and bullying within Indiana public schools.”
The recent assault echoes a previous incident at the school where a substitute teacher was attacked in February. The injured teacher welcomed the filing of charges against the student involved, highlighting the pressing issues of safety and accountability in the school environment.
As parents, students, and community members voice their concerns, calls for more stringent safety measures in Indiana public schools are intensifying, urging authorities to take decisive action.
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