MINNEAPOLIS – Three staff members at Harrison Education Center have been assaulted by students in the last two months.
The latest happened Thursday, according to a police spokesperson who said a student had been arrested after an incident with a staff member. No other details were available.
Police arrested an 18-year-old student last month on suspicion he assaulted a staff member.
And a day before that, police said they arrested a 17-year-old student after she assaulted the school's principal, Monica Fabre. She suffered a concussion and tells KARE 11 she's been recovering at home.
"She is working, I think with the district to make sure she has a medical clearance in coming back and we look forward to re-engaging with her," said interim school superintendent Michael Goar.
He added the staff was excited to see her back.
Harrison serves students with severe emotional and behavioral needs who get almost one-to-one attention. There are 43 students and 41 staff members, according to Goar.
School administrators along with teachers at Harrison said they couldn't answer questions about the specific incidents because of data privacy rules, but did answer general questions about the school
"It is hard, it is challenging. I say that a thousand times because it is. But it's worth it," said social worker Jimmie Peterson.
English teacher Anthony Gregory said the students "make you earn your money, but in a good way."
"Often times, kids within this population are often forgot about, they're kind of thrown to the side," he added.
Minneapolis educators haven't been alone in experiencing school violence. St. Paul reported a number of incidents, as well recently. And the Ramsey County attorney reported an increase of violence in schools throughout Ramsey County.
Minneapolis schools officials, however did not have data on how the recent numbers compare to previous years in the district.
"Most of our population are African-American males. So it was important to me for them to see me in the front of the classroom," said Gregory.
He said one of the most important needs is getting families involved because too often they're not.
"A lot of times in our district, not just at Harrison High, this is the only meal that they get, this is the only hug they get, this is the only conversations they get with positive adults," he said.
