System deals with bus-fight girls

Morgan County school officials say they cannot really comment on how three girls were disciplined following a school bus fight on May 24, the last day of school.

Police at the time said that two eighth graders from Warm Springs Middle School and a fifth grader from Warm Springs Intermediate were charged with battery.

In the fight, a seventh grade girl was hospitalized after being kicked in the head and neck and losing consciousness.

Asked by The Morgan Messenger how the three students were punished, School Superintendent David Banks released this statement on Monday afternoon:

“The situation has been investigated thoroughly and consequences have been assigned to each student accordingly. As per West Virginia State Code for any student discipline situation, the school system is not permitted to release the disciplinary records of students.

“We are working closely with the court system on this matter.  The three students were referred for criminal prosecution in addition to the consequences assigned by the school system. 

“We absolutely will not tolerate any behavior such as this either on a school bus or while at school. Our first priority is the safety of our kids and this incident put the safety of all students on the bus and the driver in jeopardy.”