Pekin staffer on leave after student fight

A Pekin Community Schools staff member has been placed on paid administrative leave and a student is facing disciplinary action following a fight at the school on Friday.

A video showing a student assaulting another student in a classroom was widely shared on social media.

The video shows a student sitting on the floor while another student repeatedly punches and kicks her in the head.

Audio captured with the video has a female staff member saying "stop" several time as she approaches the two students, where the victim is crying on the floor.

The student who is standing over the other student kicks the victim two more times after the staff member approached them.

Pekin Superintendent Derek Philips released a statement Friday saying that the incident “does not meet our high expectations for a safe school environment.”

“School safety is a top priority, and we take this situation seriously,” Philips said in the statement. “The student involved will face appropriate disciplinary consequences.”

Questions arose about how the staff member handled the situation.

“Pekin Community Schools has one staff member on paid administrative leave pending further investigation,” Philips said in the statement. “We are disappointed that we did not meet our high expectations at Pekin Schools.”

He said that the district will continue to work with its school resource officer in partnership with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to resolve the situation.

“We are embracing this opportunity to continue to improve our safety and culture at our school,” Philips said in the statement. “We appreciate everyone’s understanding of the situation and respect of the confidentiality for those involved.

“We are committed to continuous communication and maintaining transparency to the extent the law allows until resolution of this matter. Pekin Schools will continue to be proactive in maintaining our high standards for a healthy, safe, and welcoming school community.”