Revere High School administrator sent to hospital after brawl

A Revere High School administrator was injured after a “massive brawl” broke out just days into the new school year, according to the Revere Teachers Association.

In a news release Friday, the educators union alleged that a high school administrator was hit in the face as they attempted to break up a fight on the third day of school. While the RTA alleged that the staff member was knocked out in the fight and had to be taken to a hospital by ambulance, Revere Public Schools disputed both claims.

The district confirmed there was a physical altercation involving several students during the transition into lunch period Thursday. In a statement, Revere Public Schools said one staff member was struck during the fight and was taken to the hospital “out of an abundance of caution,” though they are home now and reportedly feeling fine.

“Revere Public Schools is among the highest achieving school districts in the state and we work every day to provide a safe learning environment for every student,” the district said, adding, “We have zero tolerance for violence in our schools and are coordinating closely with our teams at Revere High School and Revere Police to ensure all parties involved are held accountable.”

The district said Revere High School has identified about a dozen students who will face disciplinary action as a result of their involvement in the incident, including possible suspension or expulsion.

But for the Revere Teachers Association, Thursday’s incident is another rallying point in an ongoing battle over school safety.

“Revere educators saw this coming as we have consistently raised these concerns, and now our schools are being impacted by this avoidable incident,” RTA co-presidents Michelle Ervin and Jane Chapin said in a statement. “Revere educators know that our working conditions are our students’ learning conditions, and we are deeply frustrated as we have provided solutions to address this health and safety crisis. It has fallen on deaf ears.”

The union further alleged that many students were also involved in an after-school altercation this week on Beach Street near Revere High School. According to the Revere Teachers Association, a clip of the incident made the rounds on social media and showed what appeared to be a firearm. 

The RTA said it has consistently sounded the alarm about health and safety concerns in the schools but asserted that its calls have been ignored. Revere schools currently lack safe staffing limits, the union alleged in its news release.

On Friday, the RTA reiterated its demands for a health and safety task force; more transparent and rigorous tracking of “student dysregulation” — i.e. difficulty keeping emotions and reactions in check — and school violence; additional social workers and wraparound services; and designated “therapy rooms” that would offer safe spaces for dysregulated students in need of de-escalation. 

“Rather than addressing the safety crisis happening in our schools, the Revere School Committee has doubled down in misrepresenting what is happening in our schools and consistently dismissing our school safety concerns,” Ervin and Chapin said. “The Revere School Committee has abdicated its responsibilities to care for the well-being of Revere students and educators. They’re ignoring a crisis.”

Boston.com has reached out to the office of Revere Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr., the School Committee’s chair, for comment. 

The RTA said educators and their allies will converge on the Revere City Council’s Sept. 9 meeting to present petitions calling for action on school safety issues. 

“RTA educators will continue to advocate for the safety and well-being of our students and ensure we address this crisis, no matter what it takes,” Ervin and Chapin said.