BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — The number of violent incidents in the school district last year ranged from fist fights to a knife found in a middle school student’s backpack, the superintendent of schools said recently.
The number of incidents in Metuchen schools has fluctuated over the past several years, Schools Superintendent Theresa Sinatra said.
Sixteen incidents were reported during the 2004-05 school year, she said. That was down from the 2003-04 year, when the number of incidents “increased dramatically” to 33, she said.
Thirteen incidents were reported in the 2002-03 school year, she said.
The state Department of Education requires all school districts to report acts of violence and vandalism that occur within each school year.
Sinatra said violence in Metuchen schools is not a major issue.
“It was a couple of students engaged in several fights, and no one was injured,” Sinatra said.
Fifteen of the incidents in 2004-05 school year were physical altercations, and one incident involved a knife, she said
“All students involved were suspended,” Sinatra said.
Seven fights occurred in Metuchen High School, eight in the Edgar Middle School, and one weapon, a small knife, was found in a middle school student’s backpack, she said.
The principal, vice principal, guidance office, parents and other school personnel will be involved, and if needed, the police will be called when an incident occurs, Sinatra said.
When students return after their suspensions, there is an entrance conference, usually with the vice principal or guidance counselor and their parents, she said.
“If the student is a repeat offender, then we will bring in the school psychologist and bring in parent intervention,” Sinatra said.