JOLIET, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Parents said they are horrified after recent fights in the hallways of two Joliet high schools and fear for their children's safety. It let to an emergency school board meeting Tuesday night at Joliet High School District 204.
Cellphone video shows an all-out brawl in the middle of the school day at Joliet West High School. It’s one of several violent fights reported in the last few weeks.
Joliet parent Rosemary McCune told CBS 2, "I am fearful for my daughters at Joliet West."
McCune has two daughters in the district. She told CBS 2 students who chose to fight and disturb school have been let off the hook.
“Students that are causing problems and then allowed back into the classroom after a slap on the hand,” she said.
District 204 held an emergency school board meeting Tuesday night for parents and community members to voice their concern.
“School is the one place that a child should feel safe,” said Heather Myers, whose daughter is a sophomore at Joliet West High School. “I’m here to tell you that my daughter does not feel safe walking the halls of Joliet West and I am not okay with that.”
Sarah Davis said her son got caught in one of the melees.
“He was trapped by one of the brawls that surrounded him after he left gym class,” Davis said at the meeting. “He had nowhere to go.”
Joliet Central High School parent James Hill told the school board, “I have told my daughter if she fears for her life, walk out."
Hill’s daughter, Jamie, is a sophomore at Joliet Central.
“It’s just really chaotic at the moment,” Jaimie told CBS 2.
Since the start of the school year, the district said at least 80 students have been involved in altercations. Some led to arrests, others suspensions. At least two teachers have been injured.
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