PALM BEACH, Fla. – The parents of a middle school student are planning to sue the Palm Beach County school district following an altercation between their son and another student in the classroom. In adherence to a school policy, the teacher did not try to stop the fight as he had not received formal training.
Joshua Poole, 13, a student at Jeaga Middle School, was punched repeatedly by his classmate before falling to the floor. His teacher left the classroom to seek assistance, and eventually the fight was broken up by Assistant Principal Brent Higley, ABC News reports.
Poole has been seen by a pediatric neurologist for repeated headaches and blurred vision following the incident. His father told the news source that the fight was preceded by taunting and bullying.
The policy is in place to protect teachers, but some experts say that it allows them to vacate responsibility and, ultimately, puts students in danger.