Parents, students demand change from George Washington H.S. officials
SOMERTON (WPVI) -- Parents and students called for change Wednesday night during a meeting held by officials at George Washington High School, where they say there is absolutely no discipline.
Students tell Action News seeing brawls in the hallway is part of the norm at the school.
"There's no discipline. The students are running around," said junior Brooke Kaminsky. "Until very recently it doesn't even feel like a school, it feels like a playground."
Action News stopped by the school, during hours of operation, only to find dozens of students freely leaving the premises and hanging out nearby.
Principal George Jones said the school has added four additional staff members to monitor the hallways.
Jones arrived at the high school three years ago from Virginia. He says there are challenges, and he takes responsibility, but he's determined to fix them.
"One thing I welcome is a challenge. The schools I've been at have been challenge schools and turnaround schools," said Jones. "I've been very successful."
We also spoke to the school district about what they're doing to address the concerns.
"Well part of the issue is that children will be children, and that one of the things that wasn't happening to the extent needed was the accountability for children to be held accountable for their own behaviors," said Assistant Superintendent Dion Betts.
The school district plans to hold them accountable although they weren't able to tell us when that plan will go into place.
Many parents complained about the meeting's timing - which started at 3:30 in the afternoon - saying it made it hard for those who have to work to attend.
Jones said he wants to have more meetings in the future to promote change.
