GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — A parent said she is concerned about how the Green Bay Area Public School District is handling an incident where her daughter was attacked by another student during school.
Ashley Gonzalez, of Green Bay, said the incident happened last Wednesday during recess at Franklin Middle School, where her daughter attends. Gonzalez shared a Snapchat video with NBC 26 that Gonzeles said shows what happened. NBC 26 doesn't know who took the video and cannot include the footage in this story.
"A girl came up behind her and attacked her. Grabbed her by her hair, threw her to the ground and was just on top of her punching her until the school resource officer pulled her off," Gonzalez said, in her description of the video.
Gonzalez said she found out about the fight when she picked her daughter up from school that afternoon. She didn't realize the severity of the incident until she saw the video on Snapchat later that evening.
"I was irate seeing my daughter attacked from behind like that," Gonzalez said. "It's just nothing that a mother wants to see."
Her daughter had several scratches on her face and muscle inflammation on her neck as a result of the attack, Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez claims the attack was unprovoked and believes the fight occurred because the girl thought her ex-boyfriend had a crush on her daughter.
She said the the girl involved received a three-day suspension from school. The district didn't confirm this with NBC 26.
Gonzalez said she feels a suspension of that length isn't enough. She said she fears for her kids' safety at school.
"School is supposed to be a safe place. You're supposed to go there, and be able to learn and not have to watch your back," Gonzalez said.
NBC 26 reached out to GBAPS for comment regarding this incident and was told the district couldn't respond "in order to protect student confidentiality/privacy." The district also declined to comment in general on issues regarding fights in schools.
The Green Bay Area Public School District Board Policy Manual states "behaviors or actions of students that may be considered as insubordinate or defiant, dangerous, disruptive, disrespectful or interfere with the teacher’s ability to teach effectively are not acceptable in District schools." It says students who violate policy may receive "appropriate disciplinary action," including suspension or referral for expulsion. It goes on to say the district may refer the matter to law enforcement "when warranted."
The Gonzalez family said they have followed up with police regarding the incident and that process is ongoing. NBC 26 was unable to reach Green Bay Police to ask for comment.
