Two Anchorage schools in stay-put mode after fight involving 20 to 30 students, district says

Nov. 16—West High School and nearby Romig Middle School were placed in stay-put mode Monday after a fight broke out at the high school involving 20 to 30 students, officials said.

There were no serious injuries or hospitalizations, but students not involved were placed in stay-put mode in their fourth-period classes, Principal Sven Gustafson of West High School wrote in an email to parents.

"The stay-put will likely stay in place until student release time," he wrote.

There were minor injuries, but it was not clear exactly how many, said Anchorage School District spokeswoman Lisa Miller.

The fight broke out during lunch hour, although it was not immediately clear why it started, Miller said. Officials were still investigating if there were any weapons involved, she said.

School resource officers and additional police were onsite Monday afternoon and school administrators were working through disciplinary actions, Miller said. It was not immediately clear if any criminal charges would be filed as a result of the altercation, she said. Medical technicians were at the school as a precaution.

Gustafson asked parents not to pick up students from school early unless they had been notified by administrators. After-school activities that take place inside West High School were canceled Monday, Miller said. Activities at Romig Middle School would proceed as normal, she said.

Stay-put mode is less serious than a lockdown, Miller said, and can happen "for multiple reasons, from a moose outside to an injury where we need to clear the way for medical personnel."

Nearly 750 students attend Romig Middle School and nearly 1,800 attend West High School.

Superintendent Deena Bishop said earlier this year that physical altercations and behavioral issues have risen as students returned to classrooms after pandemic restrictions.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.