Student Fights At Minnie Howard Campus Prompt Police Presence

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus had a police presence due to student fights Monday.

Executive Principal Peter Balas notified families in an email saying Alexandria Police were called to provide support if needed in response to student fights. Balas clarified that the school was not on lockdown or secure the building status despite social media reports from school community members. Secure the building status would have meant no one was allowed to enter or leave the building.

"School administrators, APD and building security assured the safety of all students and staff in the building after the events," Balas wrote. "The campus resumed a regular schedule at 1:15 p.m. once the situation was addressed."

It was unclear is there were any arrests.

Armed school resource officers and unarmed school security officers are present in Alexandria's high school and middle school campuses, but Alexandria Police may also respond to incidents when requested by school officials. In November, the Alexandria City School Board extended the memorandum of understanding with the Alexandria Police Department through the end of the school year, As the current policy is being reviewed by the School Law Enforcement Partnership advisory group, a recommendation from the group is expected in late 2022 or early 2023.

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