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Hernando Today

High School Brawl Results In Two Arrests

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: November 19, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Hundreds of students gathered to watch a high school brawl that resulted in an injured teacher and two arrests.

The fight broke out Monday morning in Central High School's cafeteria when a student was slapped across the face by a classmate, an affidavit shows. The suspect's brother climbed across several people and chairs to punch the victim again, but missed and struck a teacher trying to pull the victim away, an affidavit states.

The teacher is doing OK, Principal Dennis McGeehan said Tuesday.

"Hundreds" of students rushed over tables and chairs to get a look at the fight, which required all of the administration and staff to break up, according to an affidavit.

Authorities determined that the fight broke out over an incident from the weekend between the suspects and the victims. Edonnya Montgomery, 18, of 15255 Fleetwood Road, is charged with battery and disruption of school. Hernando Today is not naming her 15-year-old brother, who is charged as a juvenile with battery, disrupting a school proceeding and battery, because of his age.
McGeehan said it's important for parents to instruct their children to keep away from fights and let school staff break it up.

"We have to act expediently (and it's) difficult when people don't cooperate," he said.

Sharon Rogers' son was the victim in the fight and claims that the way the school's administration handled the fight was insufficient.

It's her contention that the staff provided no assurances her children would be safe for the rest of the day. Rogers is also upset because the students were sent back to classes without having any chance to talk things out.

"It was just firecracker hot," she said. "That is not the way children stay safe."

She was further incensed by the fact that her son is receiving in-school suspension for, as she puts it, "protecting his brother."
McGeehan disputed Rogers' assertions, saying that there will be a counseling session for the students involved to learn about the appropriate way to deal with problems.

"We all need direction at that age," he said.

Asked what criteria are used for determining whether a suspension is appropriate, McGeehan said all discipline is based on "what is witnessed and what is gathered and factual in nature."

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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