For most of us of a certain age, the biggest problem when we were in high school was chewing gum in class. Now and then, a fight would break out, but they were few and far between enough that it was actually a newsflash that would get passed through the hallways in between classes. If you were anything like me, no punishment could happen at school that would be worse than what I would face when I got home. 

Welcome to public school in 2024. It is a very different place than it was when you and I were there. 

‘We’re outmatched’: Brockton teacher says violence, fights between students is getting worse https://t.co/c6NnzlBD2F

— Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 21, 2024

So different in fact, that in Brockton, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, several members of the Brockton High School Committee have asked for the Massachusetts National Guard to be sent in to help oversee students. 

The request came in the form of a letter some of the members of the High School committee sent to Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan. In the letter, they asked for the presence of the Guard troops to "take action to prevent tragedy at the school." The letter goes on in part saying,

 "Recognizing the gravity of the situation, we are formally requesting that you reach out to Governor Healey and request the deployment of the National Guard to assist in restoring order, ensuring the safety of all individuals on the school premises, and implementing measures to address the root causes of the issues we are facing. We understand the gravity of this request and the importance of collaboration between local and state authorities. The National Guard’s expertise in crisis management and community support can offer a vital temporary intervention, allowing for a comprehensive, long-term solution to be developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders."

Brockton High School teachers attended an emergency safety meeting several weeks ago, where several teachers, some of them in tears, told others at the meeting just how bad violence in the school has become. One teacher laid the situation out bluntly as she told those in attendance, "Students don't have consequences for their behavior." 

Another said, "This needs to be urgent in your mind. We have to make changes. We have to make them now." The most heart-wrenching statement came from a teacher who said tearfully,

 “I suffer from PTSD and anxiety, and this sadly, this year has killed me. I have, this last month, been one of those teachers that has called out probably twice a week because I can’t do it”

The idea that the school board has to ask for the Mass National Guard to help w school violence tells you how bad the polices of the Left have taken us

Massachusetts high school pleads National Guard quell 'shocking levels of chaos and violence' among students…

— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) February 19, 2024

Brockton Massachusetts is hardly alone in high school students intimidating, threatening, and harming not just other students, but also teachers, and the violent behavior starts long before high school. 

Edyte Parsons is an elementary school teacher in Kent, Washington. She has had students as young as five years old scratch, spit on, and kick six adults. It was learned that this particular child was dealing with some trauma at home, but that is not the case with older students. Parsons says that she has learned to recognize the warning signs in students who may be about to become violent. In her 10-year teaching career, Parsons said she has had desks shoved or tipped over by students, and she has been hit and kicked. 

The violence is taking its toll on teachers in a big way, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. A survey done by the American Psychological Association taken from March 2020 to June 2021, asked roughly 15,000 pre-K-12 teachers, administrators, staff, and counselors about their experiences with not just student violence, but violence from parents as well. One-third of the teachers said they had been harassed either verbally, or by cyberbullying, intimidated, and even sexually harassed. Of those surveyed, 29 percent said they have had an incident involving a parent, and 14 percent said they had been victims of physical violence from a student.

Not everyone thinks National Guard troops in a high school is a good look. Mayor Sullivan is opposed to the idea, as is Councilor at Large Winthrop Farwell Jr. He rightly stated, "That isn't the role of the National Guard, and uniformed soldiers in a school present a terrible image."

 A representative for Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy's office stated, 

“Our administration is committed to ensuring that schools are safe and supportive environments for students, educators and staff. We are aware of concerns raised about Brockton High School and are in touch with local officials."

There has been no decision as yet on whether National Guard troops will be placed at the high school, but one teacher bluntly stated how the teachers at Brockton High School feel, "Dangerously high mental and emotional exhaustion of staff members from feeling unsafe, unheard, and unsupported." 

Sadly, for these teachers who obviously care about teaching and their students, their profession has become far more dangerous than telling little Johnny to spit out his gum.

Brockton High School in Massachusetts, with 11 students arrested & criminally charged just last week requesting the NATIONAL GUARD

The school experienced an increase in violence, security concerns, & substance abuse & an alarming 35 teachers absent🔥

Third world problems🔥 pic.twitter.com/3PaEvfhJ7u

— 🇺🇸 ʟᴇғᴛ ᴄᴏᴀˢᴛ ᴠᴀɢʀᴀɴᴛ 🇺🇸 (@Baklava_USA) February 20, 2024