Woodlawn High School Brawl: A Symptom of a Failing Discipline System; Don’t Blame the School

A massive brawl at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore County recently made headlines, with video footage circulating online and community members asking the same question: Where were the staff? Why didn’t administrators step in to stop the violence? Why weren’t these students immediately removed from school?

The reality is far more complex than it appears. This isn’t a failure of the school—it’s a failure of the system particularly, the state of Maryland.  The policies that govern student discipline in Maryland, and across much of the country, have tied the hands of administrators and teachers, making it nearly impossible to enforce real consequences.

A System That Protects, But at What Cost?

Every time a major school fight or violent incident occurs, statements from school leaders and district officials follow a predictable pattern: “This behavior will not be tolerated…..” But what does that really mean? The truth is, despite these strong words, there are legal and policy barriers that make it extremely difficult to remove disruptive or violent students from school.

Administrators can suspend students for a few days, but many of them will be back in school by the following week—especially if they don’t have prior incidents on record. Even when schools push for expulsion, the process is long, complicated, and sometimes overturned due to regulations protecting student rights. And if a student has a special education designation or a 504 plan, additional legal protections make discipline even harder to enforce, regardless of their actions.

This means that students involved in violent incidents are often right back in the same hallways just days later, leaving teachers, staff, and even other students feeling powerless.

Blaming Teachers and Administrators Misses the Point

One of the biggest misconceptions about school discipline is the idea that teachers and administrators choose not to intervene. In reality, many staff members are afraid to step in—not because they don’t want to, but because they know it could put them at risk.

If a teacher or administrator physically restrains a student, even with good intentions, they could face lawsuits, termination, or even criminal charges. If an SRO (School Resource Officer) intervenes, they risk public backlash, investigations, and disciplinary action if their response is deemed too harsh.

So what happens? The safest option for staff members is often to stand back, call for help, and wait. And by the time law enforcement arrives, the damage is already done.

Discipline Reform Has Gone Too Far

Over the past decade, school discipline reform has focused on reducing suspensions and expulsions—with good intentions. No one wants students to fall through the cracks due to overly harsh discipline policies. However, many of these policies have swung too far in the opposite direction, making it nearly impossible to hold students accountable for violent behavior.

In Maryland and across the country, laws and policies have placed a greater emphasis on restorative justice practices and alternatives to suspension. While these methods have their place, they are not effective for students who engage in serious violence or repeated disruption. The lack of meaningful consequences has emboldened some students who know that they can act out without facing real penalties.

Teachers are exhausted. Administrators are frustrated. Parents are outraged. And yet, the system remains unchanged.

So What Happens Next?

In cases like the Woodlawn High School brawl, the likely outcome is predictable:

• A handful of students will be suspended for a few days.
• A few may face recommendations for expulsion, but even if approved, they will return to school within a few months.
• Those with special education protections may avoid serious consequences altogether due to legal requirements.
• Administrators will continue to face criticism for not doing enough, even though they are legally limited in what they can do.

And the next time a similar incident happens? The cycle will repeat.

Real Change Starts with Policy Reform

If we want real change in school discipline, it won’t come from blaming teachers or administrators. It must start at the state level, where policies can be updated to:

• Give administrators more authority to remove violent students without lengthy legal battles.
• Balance student rights with school safety, ensuring that protecting one student’s due process doesn’t come at the expense of others’ safety.
• Ensure that restorative justice isn’t the only option, especially in cases of severe misconduct.

Until these changes happen, schools will continue to be trapped in a system that prioritizes bureaucracy over safety—leaving students, teachers, and administrators to deal with the consequences.