“The students who were arrested for their actions have all been removed from school today using the process of emergency removal,” said Estrop. “They will all be disciplined by their building principal and likely discipline recommendations will include recommendation of suspension and, in the case of the girls who were directly involved in the altercation, will likely also include expulsion.”
Discipline hearings for the students are scheduled for today. A suspension could be for up to 10 days and an expulsion could last up to 80 days.
Regardless of the hearing outcomes, the girls also will not be allowed to attend any school activities including games and dances.
The two girls involved in the fight were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct; the older girl, who attends the Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center, was arrested on a charge of obstruction of justice. All three girls were released to their parents.
“The participants in this fight have insulted every Springfield school district student, parent, staff member and community member who have been working so hard to improve the Springfield City School District,” said Estrop.
As police broke up the fight Friday, spectators surrounded the officers, who called for assistance. About 35 officers were involved in dispersing the crowds, according to the Springfield Police Division.
“When an officer calls for assistance, we’re going to come. And in this instance we were able to, once the game ended, get everyone safely out of the stadium and then patrol the adjoining area,” Springfield Police Chief Stephen Moody said.
Authorities continue to investigate, including whether other students were involved.
Estrop declined to elaborate on the security plans for future games.
“We’ve already determined to make certain modifications to our security plans to all our sporting events and in particular our home football games,” he said.
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