Austin, Texas – A Concerning Incident at Navarro Early College High School
In a surprising turn of events, a 10th-grade student found himself in a wrestling match with an assistant principal in the restroom of Navarro Early College High School, leading to tensions rising not just at the school, but also with the student’s family.
The Incident Unfolds
On September 18, a video surfaced showing the student grappling with the assistant principal, which has caused quite a stir in the Austin Independent School District (AISD). According to the student, this altercation began during a brief restroom break between classes. “I was in the restroom and when I was in the stall I tried to shut the door behind me,” he explained. “As I am shutting the door, I feel like somebody push it open.” It was, unfortunately, the assistant principal who had pushed the door open, instructing everyone inside to leave.
Feeling confused and pressured, the student attempted to exit the restroom but was forced back into a stall by the assistant principal. “He put his hand around my throat,” he recalled. Things escalated quickly as he described their encounter: “He grabbed me by my hoodie because it was tied around my neck… then I started yelling, and he grabbed me by my hair.” Thankfully, another student in the restroom began recording the incident, which would later play a crucial role in understanding the full story.
A Not-So-Smooth Aftermath
After the altercation, the student was suspended, much to his dismay, saying, “They just suspended me, and then they said I can come back the next day.” While the school stated he was suspended for allegedly bringing a vape to school, the student firmly denied these accusations, saying, “No, I didn’t have a vape. That was not true they never found a vape on him.” Meanwhile, the student’s mother voiced her concerns over what she viewed as an improper justification for her son’s suspension.
A Mother’s Determination
After watching the video of the altercation, the mother expressed a sense of pride in her son’s ability to handle the confrontation as best as he could. “I was proud of him actually because, like I said, I would not have been able to handle it like that,” she said. However, going from a sense of pride to anger was swift as she realized an assistant principal had gotten physical with her child.
Taking matters into her own hands, the mother declared her intention to press charges against the school. She informed school officials of her decision and also mentioned a removal hearing scheduled for her son regarding the incident. However, during their visit to school, the situation turned frustrating for them as the school was uncooperative, insisting on the presence of a lawyer before proceeding.
A School District Under Scrutiny
Austin ISD has acknowledged the incident, releasing a statement on October 2. They announced that the district administration would be investigating what transpired. “The Austin ISD Talent Strategy team will conduct a thorough administrative investigation while Austin ISD Police investigate the incident for any criminal behavior,” they stated.
What’s Next?
The incident at Navarro Early College High School raises tough questions about the boundaries of authority in schools and how disputes between students and school officials should be handled. With the district conducting an investigation and the student’s family seeking legal recourse, many in the Austin community are now watching closely for more developments in this unfolding situation.
