Paterson parents, school officials discuss JFK violence

Parents and school officials attended a meeting Thursday to address concerns about violence at John F. Kennedy High School. The latest incident happened Wednesday after a fire alarm was pulled. Fights

News 12 Staff

Nov 16, 2007, 3:21 AM

Updated 6,143 days ago

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Parents and school officials attended a meeting Thursday to address concerns about violence at John F. Kennedy High School.
The latest incident happened Wednesday after a fire alarm was pulled. Fights broke out, police were called in and some students say they were pepper-sprayed. Paterson parents say they want answers.
"If they're constantly out around the school while fire drills are going, they're not getting the education they deserve, so I'd like to see something done," parent Vanessa Darden says.
A long-time employee of the school, who did not want to be identified, says the school is out of control.
The meeting was held behind closed doors, but JFK Principal Dr. Irby Miller told News 12 New Jersey that mace was sprayed into the air during Wednesday?s skirmish. He says the wind blew it into some of the kids? faces and they received attention from the school nurse. Miller also says the school is not out of control.
Some parents say they would like to see more security guards, metal detectors and harsher penalties in place for disruptive or violent students.