Joliet West High School staff file grievance over increased student fighting

A staff member at Joliet West High School submitted a grievance against District 204 amid concerns over increased fighting among some students.

District 204 Board President Frank Edmon Jr. confirmed the grievance.

“To begin, the Board of Education shares the concern of JTHS administration and staff regarding the number of incidents in our schools,” Edmon said in a statement. “As we communicated previously, these actions will not be tolerated, and we will continue to follow our disciplinary policies and procedures.”

Edmon added the district will follow the collective bargaining procedures in response to the grievance.

District Superintendent Karla Guseman said this week that about 70 students have been involved in multiple altercations so far this school year. The district has close to 6,800 students.

Edmon said the district has taken measures to address the issue to “keep our schools as safe as possible.”

Earlier this school year, the board approved the hiring of two additional security guards and the district is working to fill the positions. Last Tuesday, the district also approved more training for JTHS security staff.

Edmon said the district has also limited passes issued during class time and staff are talking to students during their advisory period about “behavioral expectations and reaching out to adults in the building with security and safety concerns.”

The district will also use metal detectors and security searches when students enter buildings, Edmon added.

“We have asked our parents to speak to their children about the consequences of disruptive behavior and we stressed that this will not be tolerated,” he said.

Edmon also acknowledged that their students are “dealing with a lot right now,” especially after returning to school full time in person after months of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A request for comment to the American Federation of Teachers Local 604, which represents JTHS teachers, was not immediately returned.