School violence increases

School crime and violence incidents increased almost 5 percent statewide last year from the previous school year. In Alleghany County, the number of incidents rose from four to five, with assaults on school personnel accounting for the majority of incidents in 2000-01.

According to a release from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the number of reported incidents totaled 7,586, or 6.276 acts per 1,000 pupils, for 2000-01. During 1999-2000, there were 7,229 incidents, or 5.980 per 1,000 pupils. Five years ago, in 1996-97, there were 8,141 reported incidents, or 6.724 per 1,000 pupils.

The statistics include only those incidents in which the offenders were pupils. Statewide, 5,682 of the offenders last year were regular pupils, while 2,263 of the offenders were exceptional pupils.

For 1999-2000, the Alleghany school system reported four incidents: two were possession of a weapon, one possession of a controlled substance and one assault on school personnel. Five incidents were reported in 2000-01, three assaults on personnel and two substance possessions.

Alleghany’s rate of incidents per 1,000 pupils was 3.526 last year, up from 2.821 in 1999-2000, but still significantly below the state average. Brenda Sutherland, student services/personnel director for Alleghany Schools, said of the three assaults on personnel, "It wasn't anything real serious." She said the incidents involved students who were unhappy with discipline situations. "It was laying on hands," Sutherland explained. "It was just nothing that required medical attention."

She said she did not know about the specifics of the substance possession incidents. Although the designation "controlled substance" usually refers to illegal drugs, such incidents could involve alcohol, which is illegal for those under 21 to consume or possess, or a pupil taking prescription drugs.

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