North Texas Assistant Principal blinded by student’s attack [VIDEO]
North Texas Assistant Principal blinded by student’s attack
North Texas assistant principal, Candra Rogers, has been left blinded in one eye after a student threw a hanger at her during a violent incident at Collins Intermediate School in Corsicana. The attack occurred on August 15, 2024. It happened after Rogers responded to reports of a student being assaulted in a classroom. The severity of the injury has prompted Rogers to speak out about the urgent need for improved safety measures in schools.
The Incident: A Tragic Turn of Events
Candra Rogers joined the Corsicana district last semester. She was severely injured while attempting to de-escalate a situation involving an irate student. According to Rogers, the student began throwing chairs before hurling a hanger at her. As a result, the hanger struck her in the right eye. The impact was so forceful that it knocked her eye out of its socket.
“The hanger hit me in my right eye and knocked it out of the socket,” Rogers recalled in her first public statement since the incident. “I grabbed my face while blood was pouring out of my head and stumbled out of the classroom door.”
Rogers was immediately flown to a hospital for emergency treatment. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Rogers has been blinded in one eye. Also, she faces the possibility of losing the eye entirely. In addition, she requires reconstructive surgery on her eyelid. The devastating injury has raised significant concerns about the safety protocols in place within the school system.
The Aftermath: Legal and Institutional Responses
Following the incident, the student responsible for the attack was taken into custody. According to a statement from the school district, the student has been “restricted to a specific location and cannot be on campus.” The case has been referred to the Navarro County District Attorney’s Office and the Juvenile Probation Department, with the expectation that charges will be filed.
The Corsicana district has been deeply affected by the incident, especially given that Rogers’ husband, Eugene Rogers, is currently serving his first season as the Corsicana High School football coach. So far, the district has not provided an estimate for when Rogers will be able to return to work. Thus, reflecting the seriousness of her injuries.
A Call for Change: Safety in Schools
In a heartfelt press conference, Rogers addressed the broader implications of the incident. She emphasized the need for better safety measures in schools.
“We should never have to fear being in a classroom with an aggressive student,” Rogers stated. “Everyone’s protection is paramount. Overly aggressive students need services to meet their needs, but I do not believe the safety of other students and the educational staff should suffer.”
Rogers’ remarks have sparked a conversation about the responsibilities of schools to protect their staff and students. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive safety protocols, including the training of staff to handle aggressive behavior and the implementation of measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.
Texas Education System Under Scrutiny
Rogers did not hesitate to criticize the broader issues within Texas’ education system. She pointed out that the state’s refusal to increase the per-student allotment at public schools. They refuse this despite having a $32 billion budget surplus. So, this has left schools underfunded and ill-equipped to handle crises like the one she experienced. “This incident is a failure of Texas’ education system as a whole,” Rogers said. Thus, calling for legislative action to address these shortcomings.
The lack of funding in Texas schools has been a longstanding issue. Educators and administrators have frequently advocated for increased resources to meet the diverse needs of their students. Rogers’ case brings to light the real-world consequences of this underfunding, particularly in situations where the safety of both students and staff is at risk.
The Broader Impact: Safety and Support for Educators
Rogers’ case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by educators across the country. The increasing incidents of violence in schools have highlighted the need for additional support for teachers and administrators. This includes mental health resources for students and more comprehensive safety training for staff.
Educators are often on the front lines, dealing with behavioral issues that can escalate quickly if not properly managed. The situation at Collins Intermediate School is a stark reminder of the potential dangers that educators face and the importance of having robust safety measures in place.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As Candra Rogers continues to recover from her injuries, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the need for change within the education system. The safety of educators and students alike must be prioritized, with comprehensive measures implemented to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
Rogers’ call for increased safety measures and better funding for schools should resonate with policymakers, educators, and the community at large. As the legal process unfolds and the investigation continues, the hope is that this incident will lead to meaningful reforms that protect all those within the school system.
Source: WFAA