Niagara Falls school district working to keep teachers safe following fights

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara Falls Police and Mayor Robert Restaino confirmed on Saturday it was two female teachers who were injured in the fights. They added that the teachers are in conversations to press charges.

“At this point, the school resource officers, as well as the head of security in the schools, are all investigating this,” said Niagara Falls Police Superintendent Nicholas Ligammari.

“The entire case is still under investigation. There's been no determination on charges and there's conversations with the two teachers on how they want to proceed. It is unfortunate that there are some students that don't really focus on the educational environment,” added Mayor Restaino.

Niagara Falls school superintendent Mark Laurrie along with a school teacher who wished to remain anonymous both say it isn't the staffs job to police this type of behavior.

“It has become a problem not just with our district. I heard with other districts as well. A lot of times our hands are tied. I mean, there's only so much we can do,” said a Niagara Falls HS teacher.

“I would never put this on the back of a teacher. I appreciate them coming to the aid of students as quickly as they can,” added Laurrie.

Laurrie encourages teachers to call for assistance during these types of situations, but for a teacher it’s hard not to step in.

“It does become a natural instinct because you see these children fighting and you look at their faces and the aggression. You end up getting involved in there because more serious injuries can occur but now its teachers getting seriously injured,” added a Niagara Falls HS teacher.

“To Resort to violence that quickly is very unfortunate, very unacceptable. But will be dealt with very swiftly,” continued Laurrie.

Superintendent Laurrie says there will be a superintendent hearing in the coming days where the students can share their side of the story and at that time he will make a final decision as to when they can return to the class room.