A student at Habersham County’s Success Academy was arrested in late February following a physical altercation with another student, according to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
School officials have declined to comment on policy matters related to the incident.
The incident occurred on Feb. 27 when a school resource officer on duty responded to a disturbance in the cafeteria during lunch.
According to the report, the officer arrived to find Ninth Grade Academy Principal David Leenman, teacher Shawn Bertrang and another staff member attempting to separate two students involved in the altercation.
The report states the officer intervened and demanded the students separate before breaking up the fight.
One of the students, 18-year-old Uriel Galvan Vallejo, allegedly continued to shout obscenities despite being instructed to stop. The other student is not identified in the report and didn’t appear to face charges following the incident.
Bertrang later provided a statement that he was allegedly pushed into a lunchroom table by Vallejo during the confrontation.
Vallejo, a student at the Success Academy, was taken to an office for questioning. He reportedly explained the altercation began after he learned the other student had been speaking negatively about him.
Vallejo stated in the report that he confronted the student, and the situation escalated when the other student allegedly threw a punch.
The unidentified student, who did not want to press charges, claimed in the report that Vallejo shouted threats at him across the cafeteria before the encounter.
That student told officials he attempted to restrain Vallejo until authorities intervened, according to the report.
Statements in the report say Leenman expressed concern over Vallejo’s behavior and felt threatened by his actions. Success Academy Principal Vickie Martin later indicated that charges would be pursued due to the physical altercation and alleged disruption.
Vallejo was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, disruption of public schools and simple battery. He was taken to the Habersham County Detention Center.
When asked about the school’s policies regarding fighting, disorderly behavior or the student’s potential expulsion or graduation status, incoming Superintendent Patrick Franklin declined to comment, citing “privacy concerns.”
