Last week, Superintendent Dr. John Long sought to gauge the school board's interest in how to deal with the violence. Long reported more fights have happened so far this school year than in past years, including a couple where teachers have been struck by errant punches and, in some instances, had to be transported to the hospital. He described the teachers' injuries as "varying degrees of severity." Some included head trauma such as a concussion and bruising. "It's beyond what we're used to and it's not OK," Long said. Board members agreed students should be held accountable if they strike a teacher and even more so should an injury occur that requires medical attention. "We've got to put a stop to it and make an example and make the kids understand going forward we're not going to accept any type of violence in the school," David Wilmsmeyer said. Jan Sutherland added: "There needs to be respect." For a first offense, school policy calls for the student to be suspended three to 10 days. A second offense will increase the recommended suspension to five to 10 days. A third offense carries a suspension of up to 10 days Due to the increase and severity of fights this year, Long is recommending that principals consider a five-day suspension for a first offense. Should school officials believe more discipline is merited for any offense, a discipline hearing can be held. Long said school officials and board members have the authority to suspend a student up to a full school year Students who wish to appeal their suspensions can meet with the school board in executive session. "Safety is the No. 1 priority," Long said. "When people are getting hurt, it is a completely unacceptable way of interacting in a school setting." The increase in school violence has occurred at a time when the R-III district is short on school resource officers, Long said. Due to staff shortages, Long explained the Warrenton Police Department has needed to utilize the services of one officer and recently began employing a second officer on the streets instead of in the schools. That has left one officer covering five schools and around 3,000 students. The R-III district and the Warrenton Police Department each split the costs of funding the three resource officers. "We need to protect our children, we need to protect our staff," board member Dale Schowe said.