Trotwood fights: Schools to work on conflict resolution skills

Trotwood-Madison schools are still investigating last week’s fights at the high school, but they are also working on conflict resolution and mentoring approaches for students, Superintendent Tyrone Olverson said Friday.

“It doesn’t seem to be gang-related,” Olverson said, addressing the suggestion of a local juvenile court magistrate last week. “It’s just kids in the community having disagreements. We’re just trying to help these young individuals understand … how do we help them learn to address conflict in a civil manner?”

VIDEO: Watch superintendent, board president address fights

Three non-students entered Trotwood-Madison High School at breakfast Feb. 25 and had an altercation with some students. They were arrested for trespassing. Then Feb. 28, 11 students were arrested after an afternoon fight that police said was unrelated. Preliminary charges included riot, inciting to violence and disorderly conduct.

Olverson said the conflicts involved both Trotwood-Madison students and their family members, and spilled over from conflicts that had bubbled up outside school.

“That’s an area we’re putting some more time on and we’re going to work on – conflict resolution and conflict management,” Olverson said. “That’s what it really boils down to. People … have some other issue they’re dealing with, and they’re taking it out on other individuals.”

FIRST FIGHT: Early-morning altercation leads to soft lockdown

Trotwood police said last week that the department would provide an additional presence at the school, and district officials are reviewing strategies in the school’s safety plan.

Olverson also said several church pastors reached out to him in recent days, trying to help.

“They’re going back to their congregations and trying to build some mentoring programs for us,” Olverson said. “They’ll be coming back to me within the next month.”

SECOND FIGHT: 11 arrested after incident at Trotwood-Madison

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About the Author

Jeremy P. Kelley

Jeremy Kelley is the assistant news editor for the Dayton Daily News. Jeremy is a Cincinnati native and has lived in the Dayton area for 30-plus years.