Unruly high school asks Massachusetts National Guard to restore order

BROCKTON, Mass. — Officials have asked Gov. Maura Healey to send the Massachusetts National Guard to stop violence and address security problems at a troubled high school in a city south of Boston, some school committee members said Monday.

Four of the seven members of the Brockton School Committee supported the National Guard request amid teacher shortages and budget shortfalls, but city officials were not unanimous in their support.

The governor’s office acknowledged concerns about Brockton High School, where teachers reported fights and drug use in the hallways, as well as verbal abuse against staff. “Our government is committed to ensuring that schools are safe and supportive environments for students, teachers and staff,” Healey’s office said.

Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan, chairman of the school committee, forwarded the request to the governor on Friday even though he opposed it. “National Guard soldiers are not the answer,” he said.

The four school committee members who supported the request held a news conference Monday to plead their case for relief. They said National Guard personnel could be deployed as hall monitors or even as substitute teachers.

“We are not asking them to send a whole army to our school. We are asking for support,” said committee member Ana Oliver.

“If you support safety in our schools, you support the National Guard to come here and keep our schools safe,” said Tony Rodrigues, another committee member.

The students are not in class this week. The police chief will provide an update on efforts to address the problems after the break, the mayor said.