The Brockton School Committee requested that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey send the National Guard to assist at one of the city’s high schools due to escalating violence, security issues, and substance abuse.
A majority of committee members supported the request, though the mayor opposed it.
Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan said, “National Guard soldiers are not the answer.”
Committee members said they were not asking for troops, just support like substitute teachers and hall monitors given a teacher shortage.
They noted positive impacts the Guard could have and that uniforms and arms were not needed.
Safety in schools was the priority.
Committee member Ana Oliver said, “We’re not asking them to deploy a whole army to our school. We’re asking for support.”
“If you support safety in our schools, you will support the National Guard to come in here and keep our schools safe,” committee member Tony Rodrigues agreed.
The letter read, “Over the past few months, our high school has experienced a disturbing increase in incidents related to violence, security concerns, and substance abuse. The situation has reached a critical point, more recently we had an alarming 35 teachers absent, underscoring the severity of the challenges we are facing. … There are many instances where trespassers are found on school grounds, raising serious questions about the security and safety measures in place.”
The signatories claimed, “These situations not only put the students and staff at risk but also undermines the overall safety of our community.”
Committee member Ana Oliver said, “We’re not asking them to deploy a whole army to our school. We’re asking for support, especially with the teacher shortage throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
“I also want to highlight that we have some great students in Brockton. They are doing excellent work. They’re coming in, getting their education. They are following the policy, the authority with the educators, but we do have some that continue to not do what they’re supposed to be doing and that’s what we need help with,” she explained.
“We started (the letter) more than a couple of weeks ago and we held off on it,” said committee member Joyce Asack.
“We got to the point where we’re seeking help,” admitted the committee member.
Committee member Tony Rodrigues said, “This isn’t something that [is] negative. The National Guard does bring positivity.”
He added, “We’re looking for support with the National Guard to come in and act as substitute teachers (and) hall monitors to make sure that the high school is safe.”
Brockton is also known as the hometown of undefeated boxing champion Rocky Marciano.
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