Tensions are high in DeKalb County following a string of events involving educators and students, the most recent being allegations of physical abuse by a Cedar Grove Middle School coach. The middle school teacher, Adam Smith, who also served as a football coach, resigned after a disturbing video surfaced, showing him purportedly punching, kicking, and striking students with a yardstick; this prompted an investigation by the DeKalb County School District—and while the District maintains that the safety of students is a priority, citing Smith's immediate administrative leave and subsequent resignation, the DeLoach Law Firm has stepped in representing some of the families and seeking possible legal action with the claim, "These types of things cannot be tolerated," attorney Dwight DeLoach shared representing three of the affected families, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Meanwhile, another incident involving a physical altercation between three students and a teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. High School has led Superintendent Devon Horton to defend students against criminalization, stating "They are not criminals, and we should not be criminalizing them," a perspective Horton emphasized despite the students currently facing battery charges reflected in the story by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Horton also pointed to potential triggers and the need for increased conflict resolution training—DeKalb County has already trained almost 400 staff in restorative practices. Highlighting changes in district approaches to discipline and support, the superintendent mentioned the newly hired face advocates, who mentor some of the most challenged students, which has seemingly been effective with 66% of these students having zero referrals so far this year.
The DeKalb County School District is under pressure as concerns grow over aggression in schools—from both students and staff. The Georgia Federation of Teachers is calling for action, highlighting a rise in violence against teachers. They’re also urging officials to consider penalties for parents of violent students, adding a new angle to the ongoing debate about school safety and discipline.
