Duval schools superintendent responds to hundreds of fights in schools over 3-month period

More than 1,000 fights have broken out in Duval County Public Schools in just 90 days.

Parents aren’t the only ones who are worried.

Duval schools superintendent, Dr. Nikolai Vitti tells Action News Jax, “Of course I’m concerned. We don’t want fighting in schools.”

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Action News Jax wanted to know the numbers, so we made a request to the school district.

The data shows that most fights are occurring at middle schools in urban areas.

Vitti explains, “Fighting is unfortunately a reality. Fighting has occurred in schools for years, for decades.”

According to the superintendent, overall, fights have declined.

He wants parents to understand that students are safe.

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When altercations do happen, Vitti said they’re disruptive.

Students are disciplined, often suspended, depending on the severity of the fight.

The district is working on new initiatives to cut down on physical conflict.

“We’re able to put former social workers and psychologists in our schools, specifically our middle schools, to work with our most at-risk students,” said Vitti.

He adds that parents should be teaching their children ways to resolve conflict other than violence.

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