Fight leads to arrest at OHS

Published 1:30 am Saturday, September 6, 2008

An early morning verbal exchange at Opp High School sent one student to jail Friday and other students will face administrative action.

Mike McDonald, assistant police chief for the City of Opp, said the incident was not a cause for concern.

“It involved a fight at the high school prior to class beginning,” he said. “One student, who was allegedly punched in the face by another student, signed a warrant for the arrest of the other student. Officers arrested the student, he was charged with harassment and he posted bond this morning.”

Michael Smithart, superintendent of Opp City Schools, said the matter will be handled accordingly.

“We had an isolated incident and we are dealing with it,” Smithart said. “Right now to say anything else would be premature.”

Jeff Rhodes, principal of Opp High School, said the students involved will be subject to the rules and regulations of the school’s pre-established code of conduct.

“We are handling the situation in accordance with our code of conduct,” he said.

Rhodes said that he had received several phone calls from people who had heard an exaggerated version of the story.

“It was simply two students who were exchanging words,” he said. “It just happened to be that one kid was white and one kid was black.”