The Lanphier High School Principal, Alicia Miller, is speaking out after a fight left six teens arrested and two staff members injured.

Miller told me District 186 has recently approved a request to hire more security for the high school.

“Lanphier is committed to the safety and security of staff and students,” Miller said. “But it is a collective commitment of everyone who works in the building.”

Miller said it took ten seconds for administrators and security to respond to a fight between two students.

“It occurred during the transition period,” Miller said. “Some other students got involved, based on some issues that were potentially occurring outside of the school.”

Miller wanted to make it clear that no teachers were involved, but two staff members did suffer minor injuries.

Miller said the size and open structure of the building is causing an increase in fights within the school.

“We have Officer Resendez here,” Miller said. “We’ve had other officers who have come in and talked to us about the structure of our building, and things that we can put in place to make it safer.”

According to the Springfield Education Association, the union that represents teachers within District 186, said at least one Lanphier staff member resigned this year, because they felt they were disciplining more than they were teaching.

“I haven’t had an influx of teachers who have quit,” Miller said. “There have been some who have considered maybe having a career switch.”

Springfield Education Association President, Aaron Graves, said they have voiced major concerns about the safety of teachers.

“On the same hand, we’re being hurt by the very students that we’re trying to protect,” Graves said. “ We have a very large concern that’s not being realized.”

Out of the three Springfield high schools, Lanphier High School had the highest number of calls for the Springfield Police Department to conduct patrol investigations, premise checks, 911 and medical calls.

Miller said it’s important for the community to work together to combat these issues because Springfield students on the north side deserve a good education experience.

Miller also said parent involvement is also important, and they should consider volunteering at school.