Revere teachers seek help from city, school officials following second student fight at high school

By Barbara Taormina

A Revere High teacher was injured Wednesday morning while trying to break up a fight among students. According to the Revere Teachers Association (RTA), the teacher’s arm was slashed after he and other educators tried to intervene and stop the fight. The RTA released a photo of the teacher’s arm that showed a deep and bloody gash. It was later announced that the injury was caused when his arm struck a locker during the altercation.

However, according to Mayor Patrick Keefe’s spokesperson, Taylor Giuffre-Catalano, no weapons were involved in this incident and no teachers were stabbed. Giuffre-Catalano cited “verified information” from the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.

Revere police also said no weapons were involved, and no arrests were made and the students involved were sent home.

Revere School Supt. Dianne Kelly has said in various media interviews that the Revere Teachers Union is amplifying a false narrative about safety concerns at the high school in order to bolster their bargaining position during ongoing contract negotiations. But teachers, students and parents say there’s cause for genuine concern.

Wednesday’s incident follows an August 29 brawl, which involved dozens of students and spilled out onto Beach Street. According to school officials, 12 students are facing charges in connection with that fight and nine of those students have reportedly been expelled. School and police officials will work together to review Wednesday’s incident to determine the appropriate response.

At this week’s City Council meeting, teachers asked for support in the form of additional staffing, social workers, psychologists and school resource officers. But according to the Mayor’s Office, over the last four years the district has increased the staff with 70 teachers who work with English language learners and inclusion classes, and counselors and social workers have also been brought onboard, to work with individual students on their social emotional well-being.

Supt. Kelly said she wants to correct some misinformation about the Aug. 29 fight. It was widely reported that one school administrator was hit and knocked unconscious; another staff member was said to have been taken to a hospital by ambulance. Kelly said neither of those stories were true, and social media and the rumor mill had amplified “an unacceptable high school fight.” Kelly also reported that 18 students have been identified as taking part in the fight in the high school and in the brawl that spilled out onto Beach Street. She said those students are facing disciplinary actions that include long-term suspension and expulsion, or the full level of what’s allowed under the law.

Although teachers want help, most did not support the proposals for private security or metal detectors. Instead, they called for more staff and services to deal with students’ problems before they lead to fights.

“We urge you to find more constructive ways to address the problem,” said School Committee Vice Chair Jacqueline Monterroso, who suggested funding for transportation and afterschool programs to avoid crowds outside the building at the end of the school day.

City Council President Anthony Cogliandro said a private security company would provide more eyes and ears to help staff identify potential problems and intervene before anything escalates into physical violence. But he and other councillors agreed to hold off and listen to more teachers and staff before voting on any measures.

Mayor Keefe, in a press conference on Wednesday, announced that a fourth school resource officer will be assigned to the school district and the Revere Police Behavioral Health Unit has been deployed to the high school to foster positive relationships among the student population. Keefe also said there will be increased access to resources for clinical and social emotional needs, which educators believe are the root cause of many incidents.

The city is also engaging with outside resources, such as Roca of Chelsea, and working to provide more equipment and training on conflict resolution and de-escalation tactics for staff and security personnel.