South Cook News

Rich Township High School has hired and trained a private security force to deal with the rising tension the school has faced over its first few weeks of being back in session.

"Just recently, the board approved for us to hire a private security force and so we trained them this week and then on Monday we should be fully staffed with our security force, which we think is going to really help to quell some of the anxiety in the building," District 227 Superintendent Dr. Johnnie Thomas told Fox 32 Chicago.

Among the most pressing issues are a series of fights between students at the school and an ongoing bus shortage. All the commotion comes just months after the local school board decided to close nearby Rich East High School. This month marks the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit that all the students are back in the consolidated schools.

At least 2,500 students are not being shuttled between the school’s STEM campuses and its main building in Richton Park.

 According to Fox 32, between the students’ different schedules, staffers have found it difficult to monitor everyone at all times, with the cramped school surroundings only adding to the tension.

"It's starting to be like dangerous conditions,” one person told Fox. “The morale is horrible, nobody wants to come to work, and they’re concerned about their safety."

Meanwhile, Thomas said he has identified about 15 students who have behavioral issues and school officials are working to give them the support they need.