Statement regarding the incident at Albany High School on Sept. 22, 2006

On Friday, Sept. 22, at approximately 1:15 p.m., there was a fight at Albany High School and a student was taken to the hospital with a stab wound, where he was in stable condition later in the day. The school was immediately put into lockdown mode to isolate students and staff while the situation was investigated. Seven students were arrested. The lockdown was removed at 2 p.m. and classes were resumed. The parents of all students involved were notified. After school activities took place as scheduled. The police and district officials are continuing to investigate the incident as well as additional strategies to reduce the possibility of future incidents.

No matter is more serious than the safety of our students. In a letter sent home with the high school students on Friday, interim Principal Maxine Fantroy-Ford wrote, “The entire Albany High School administration and staff will not tolerate the inappropriate behavior of several students. Our students are here to learn in a safe and orderly environment. … I am requesting that parents unite with the Albany High School community, school district, and city to let the students in the City School District of Albany know that our business is education.”