Vernon police on Monday said they will issue a juvenile summons to a Rockville High School student who allegedly assaulted a staff member during an altercation last Thursday.
Lt. William Meier of the Vernon Police Department made the announcement during a news conference that also addressed some minor evidence detectives uncovered while searching the room rented by a Vernon man who police said killed himself and two others on Friday in Wyoming.
About two-and-a-half hours before the news conference, as Meier was still fielding calls from authorities in Wyoming, the paraprofessionals union released a statement indicating that RHS paraprofessional Ann Davis was pursuing charges against the student.
"Last Thursday, an 'All Call' went out over the intercom at Rockville High School asking staff to assist with an unruly student," the union said in a statement. "Paraeducator Ann Davis was close by and answered the call. As the student came out of the library with his paraeducator, the student swung at Ann and hit her twice."
Said Davis in the union-issued release, “I was startled. In my seven years as a paraeducator I’ve never been hit by a student … I love my job. I just want to be able to help my students without worrying about being assaulted.”
Meier said a school resource officer investigated the incident. The student will be referred to juvenile court. State law stipulates that the names of juveniles are exempt from public disclosure.
The union said, "Schools remain one of the safest environments for children. However, in far too many schools, a lack of respect for the authority of teachers and other school employees, as well as for the rights of other students, is undermining the ability of schools to provide students with a quality education."
Added Dot Tedeschi, president of the Vernon Federation of Paraeducators Local 4873, “When I hear about incidents of this nature, I am concerned about the safety of all our students and our staff. We’re ready to work together with the school district to prevent future incidents like these from occurring.”
The Board of Education recently reviewed the first report by the administration on school incidents, and did so behind closed doors in executive session, citing the juveniles on the report.
Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway said Thursday's incident was the second recently that involved an assault or injury to a staff member.
She sent a letter to staff members on Monday in response to the altercations. The letter is attached.
