WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderStudents, parents tell different story than administrators about East incidents

Students, parents tell different story than administrators about East incidents

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Rockford's East High School saw its second day of problems despite extra police, security officers, and administrators on site.

There seems to be a lot of contradiction about what is actually happening at the school. Students and parents tell 13 News about riots and chaos. District administrators say there were some disturbances, but no major fights or weapons.

East High School Senior Kaity Castro won't be in class Friday. "I don't feel safe, and my learning experience keeps getting interrupted by all this madness."

Someone pulled fire alarms Wednesday and again Thursday, something administrators confirm. Kaity says when kids evacuated, fights broke out everywhere. She also heard about weapons.

"All of a sudden all this talk of gangs and stuff starting popping up."

Mom Pam got a phone call. "Today it was, Mom, there's rumors of a gun being brought to school. Then she text messaged me and said there were rumors of gang fights that were going to happen between eighth and ninth hour. And I said that's it. I'm picking you up."

But East Principal Mark Wallace says, "You're not looking at a riot situation. You're not looking at multiple fights breaking out. You're really looking at a nuisance to the learning environment."

He adds a lot of what's been repeated is simply rumor, spread by mass text messages and emails from the student body. Wallace admits there have been minor skirmishes and food fights, but no brawls.

Earl Hernandez, Executive Director of Schools for District 205, tells 13 News there were no fights the past two days at East, no gang-related issues, and no weapons either. 

One student was arrested for pulling a fire alarm. Another is now in police custody for a food fight.

"People are just acting stupid for no reason-- uncalled for stuff, running around, yelling screaming," says East Senior Martin Hyatt.

"It gets tiring," adds Junior Mac Wilinski. "I don't want to deal with it. I want to go to school and not worry about getting shot."

"There are kids who're doing right. There's just a selective few who're doing wrong," explains Senior Logan Daniel.

Pam Castro says she wants answers from administrators. Until then, Kaity won't be in class. "I want to know what you're doing to provide protection to our kids when we send them off to school because your increased police presence and security has not worked."

Pam isn't the only mom worried. Two other students 13 News spoke with were pulled from class by their parents yesterday. Both stayed home Thursday. 

Wallace wants to reassure parents and requested even more police and security for Friday's school day. "You're looking at a small handful of students trying to create chaos for everyone. I'm confident we'll get a handle on what needs to happen."