Garfield Heights Teachers Resign Amid Rising Violence and Safety Concerns

Garfield Heights, Ohio – Teachers at Garfield Heights schools are resigning in increasing numbers due to escalating violence and safety issues, with many expressing fear and frustration over their working conditions. Incidents of student aggression have surged, leading to an environment where educators feel their well-being is at risk.

An Alarming Trend

Recent reports reveal that fights and violence have become a troubling norm within Garfield Heights schools. Videos obtained through public records show students engaging in brutal altercations in hallways and classrooms, with some incidents being recorded on cell phones and shared among peers. Teachers often find themselves caught in the middle of these violent episodes, putting their safety at significant risk.

One educator, who chose to remain anonymous and is referred to as Judy for the purposes of this article, shared her harrowing experiences. “This is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, it is awful, awful,” she stated. Judy, who has been teaching in the district for two years, is now leaving her position due to the constant threats and assaults she faces from students, even those as young as seven years old. “You know you’re going to get hit,” she said. “You know you’re going to get a chair thrown at you, you know someone in your class is going to get in a fight, it’s just depressing.”

A Surge in Resignations

The district’s school board meeting minutes highlight a stark increase in teacher resignations over recent years. In 2023 alone, 72 teachers resigned, a significant jump from 28 in 2022 and 21 in 2021. This includes 23 intervention specialists, commonly known as physical education teachers. The sharp rise in resignations reflects the growing concern among educators about their safety and the overall working environment.

Judy attributes her decision to leave to “assault and safety concerns,” sentiments echoed by many of her colleagues. Despite numerous requests for information from the district, reports on teacher injuries due to student violence have been sparse. However, unofficial sources suggest that the frequency of these incidents is much higher than reported.

The Reality of School Violence

Teachers who are injured by students have the option to take what is known as “Assault Leave,” allowing them to go home without losing pay, benefits, or accumulated sick leave for up to 30 days. Beyond this period, they must apply for workers’ compensation, use sick leave, or apply for disability. Judy shared that there have been at least four other teachers in her building alone who have taken assault leave this past year.

At Maple Leaf Elementary, there have been approximately seven incidents of teachers being harmed by students in just one year. Judy recounted her own traumatic experience, stating, “He’s punching me, he grabbed my arm and scratched me. I ended up bleeding from it and I was just so done. So, I took assault leave that day.”

Parents and Teachers Demand Action

Parents are also deeply concerned about the safety of their children. Julie Holler, the grandmother of a middle school student, recounted an incident where her grandchild was slapped by another student in front of the entire class. “Even the teacher saw it, yeah, but nothing ever happened,” she said. The prevailing sentiment among both parents and teachers is that unless significant changes are made, the situation will continue to deteriorate.

Judy criticizes the district’s administration for not taking these issues seriously, stating, “They make it look fine on the outside but if you step foot in that building your child is not safe.” She mentioned that these concerns have been brought to the attention of Superintendent Richard Reynolds multiple times, but little has been done to address them.

Calls for Change

The growing number of resignations and the stories shared by both teachers and parents underscore the urgent need for intervention and support within Garfield Heights schools. The lack of response from district officials only adds to the frustration and fear felt by those who work and learn in these environments.

As the community grapples with these challenges, there is a pressing need for systemic changes to ensure the safety and well-being of both educators and students. Without significant action, the situation threatens to worsen, further impacting the quality of education and the safety of all involved.

For more information and to support efforts to improve safety and conditions within Garfield Heights schools, please visit the Garfield Heights School District’s website.