A meeting between teachers at Charlotte Amalie High School and Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds Monday morning resulted in six students being asked to stay home and teachers going back to their classrooms.
Simmonds made the decision to ask the parents of the students involved in violence on the campus in February to keep the children home after hearing the details of the February fracas and past disciplinary problems with the six CAHS students. She said school work would be sent home to the students.
Simmonds' action is temporary pending an expected appeal by teachers to the Board of Education to expel the students.
Arthur Solomon, spokesperson for the teachers said, "The teachers, faculty and staff are rewording the appeal to the Board of Education and will have it to them before the day is out and hope the board is on the fast track."
Simmonds told the teachers and staff her previous decision to allow the students to return to school might have been different if problems with the students had been better documented, and if she had realized how serious the Feb. 17 outbreak of violence had been.
The February incident resulted in two students being treated for stab wounds. There have also been reports of a gun being brandished.
Teachers reportedly challenged the administration on Monday to enforce the code of "zero tolerance," which is part of the disciplinary code established by the Education Department.
Solomon said the meeting was productive and "everybody came out looking good."
Simmonds could not be reached late Monday morning for details on the appeal process.
