Increased law enforcement presence at Fivay High after fights

HUDSON, Fla. - Students and staff at Fivay High School in Pasco County have had a rough week.

At least two fights broke out Thursday. Five female students were involved were suspended and placed in a diversion program. School officials say they will probably move to another school. A male teen, who is no longer a student, might face criminal charges for his involvement.

“At this point, it’s not safe for my kids or anyone else’s kids who go to this school,” Ruben Rivera, whose daughter was suspended, told FOX 13.

His daughter, who does not want us to use her name, says she was a victim, not an aggressor.

“All I did was defend myself,” she said. “Anybody in that situation would defend themselves.”

The school says no weapons were used during the confrontations, but Rivera’s daughter says she was hit in the forehead with a bottle.

“It hurt, and I was surprised because I was never hit with anything during a fight,” she said. “I was like, wow!”

Parents say fights at the school have been an ongoing problem.

After the last round of altercations, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office assigned additional deputies to campus.

The school was also put on what’s called “controlled campus” status, which means staffers are told to be more aware of what’s going on around them.

“We don’t want to break up fights. We want to prevent them,” said school spokesman Steve Hegarty.

Five girls and one boy have been referred to the juvenile justice system after yesterday’s disruptions.