Green Bay, WI: Middle school teachers deal with violence

Aug 8, 2017, WBAY TV, Green Bay, WI: Target 2: Emails detail problems, efforts for solutions at Washington Middle School http://www.wbay.com/content/news/Target-2-Emails-detail-problems-efforts-for-solutions-at-Washington-Middle-School-439301143.html Target 2 Investigates has been working to get more answers about the violence and behavior issues at Green Bay's Washington Middle School. Tuesday, the school district released hundreds of pertinent emails to Action 2 News through open records requests. The emails show conversations between school staff and even concerned parents. The east-side school's problems made headlines in June after teacher Kerstin Westcott resigned at a school board meeting. She detailed incidents of abuse, violence and safety concerns at the school. Since then, the district says it ramped up ongoing efforts to craft a workable solution for the upcoming school year…. MAY 2017: In May, a chain of emails started between Washington Middle School teacher Kerstin Westcott and school board member Ed Dorff. Wescott states in her email, "It's been a difficult road for our school these past few years.” She highlights the physical and verbal violence and threats against teachers from what she has witnessed. … Action 2 News found Westcott's resignation emboldened other teachers to step forward. OTHER STAFF EMAILS: An email by a staff member to Principal Christensen said in part: “I feel we are at this point because we did not tell the truth for many years out of fear that it was a reflection on us. It isn't."