At least three students were hurt during a fight with a parent at a Chicago high school Monday, according to school officials, authorities and parents.
The incident happened on the second floor of Englewood STEM High School, according to Chicago police.
Michael Montagano said his daughter, a sophomore at the school, was one of at least three students attacked by a parent who got into the school building.
Montagano said his daughter was caught in the middle of the fight during a passing period. A piece of her hair was ripped out, he noted.
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“I took her to the hospital yesterday and she’s traumatized,” he said. “She doesn’t want to go to school. She said, 'Dad, I don’t want to go to school this week.'"
Now, the father is questioning security protocols at the Chicago school, which said the matter remains under investigation.
“School is supposed to be a safe place for kids,” said Montagano. “They come to learn, not to be attacked.”
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Atia Johnson, 37, and three other individuals have been arrested and are facing misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal trespassing.
“I don’t know how they would get into the school - four adults - and get security and get to the second floor,” he said. “Infuriating. What if they would have had weapons? It would have been worse.”
Montagano serves on the Local School Council and Parent Advisory Council.
Chicago Public Schools, citing student privacy, did not answer NBC 5's question when asked how the parent got up to the second floor. Instead, a spokesperson referred to a letter that was sent out to parents following the incident. The principal in the letter told parents that safety is a top priority and called for additional security support, adding that the incident is being investigated.
“My daughter is traumatized, you know, she’s only 16 years old,” Montagano said. “She hasn’t been through something like this, especially with adults or kids attacking her.”
Montagano told NBC 5 he knows staff is doing their best to address the situation and parent concerns. He and other members of the Parent Advisory Council plan to meet with the principal on Thursday.
“Our school is supposed to be a safe place, a safe haven for these kids and right now—it’s not,” said Montagano.
