Oceanway Middle steps up security after racial fallout from fight

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville middle school stepped up security Monday after a cafeteria fight fueled racial tension between students last week.

A message from the principal to parents Monday said four students involved in the fight were suspended and may get transferred to an alternative school and face legal action.

Social media posts show Oceanway Middle School students were worried that their peers would bring weapons to school Monday.

Action News Jax counted at least four marked Duval County Public School police cars around campus during lunchtime.

Trena Barry said her eighth-grade daughter was there when the fight broke out in the lunchroom Thursday.

”It was just mad chaos. She was like three tables away on the other side and she was just like, 'Holy crap!'” said Barry.

Several witnesses said it started after the student who took the beating used a racial slur.

The next day students wore black and white T-shirts to show support for students involved in the fight.

“She was told that because she wore a black shirt to school the next day, that she was supporting one side versus the other. And I’m like, this is not OK,” said Barry.

Social media posts show students were talking about wearing theT-shirts to school again Monday.

Another post shows a student threatening violence in a racially charged post.

The school district said it will add programs like peer-mediating to address fighting.

“I just don’t feel like it’s going to help because it’s really not -- the kids are going to do what they want to do. It comes back down to ... basically the parents taking control of the kids,” said Barry.

In the meantime, Barry said she’s faced with a tough choice.

“I asked my husband if I should actually take her out of school and homeschool her because I don’t feel she’s safe,” said Barry.

Barry said violence at school is not a rare sight for her daughter. She said she’s gotten stuck in the hallway waiting for a fight to stop so she can get to her classroom.

A school district representative said no one was available Monday for an interview about how the school is going to address the fights and racial tension.

Cox Media Group