Thanks to increased security in schools, physical acts of violence are happening less often.

“Fights don’t occur as often anymore, and when they do they often happen in groups of 2 or 3.” said vice-principal Mark Preut.

Although the number of physical fights are in decline, verbal fights are increasing according to interviews and data from the Kansas State Department of Education.

“There have been much fewer [physical fights] this year,” vice-principal Mike Norris said.

In 2011 there were more than 50 physical fights, according to data from the Kansas State Department of Education. This year, there have been 16 total fights.

“So far [this school year] the [fights] are much less common,” vice-principal Mark Preut said.

While physical fights occur about four to five times a year, verbal fights happen every few days, according data compiled by the Kansas State Department of Education.

Boys and girls are generally in about the same number of physical fights, but girls have been in the majority of verbal fights.

“Boys usually like to settle things physically and girls tend to try to settle their disputes without violence,” Norris said. “Most of the fights happen in the lunchroom or E2, but some also happen in the hallways.”

Verbal fights can happen anywhere, especially in places where large groups of students can meet and talk to each other.

Physical fights are usually easier to predict, according to Preut and Norris.

“They are often planned in advance and advertised to the school by at least one of the involved parties,” Preut said.

Verbal fights are almost impossible to predict beforehand since they can start at any time. They escalate much quicker, a simple conversation about homework may quickly turn into a loud flurry of threats and benevolent remarks.

“In just a couple of minutes, I’ve seen a group of girls go from talking to each other, to screaming and threatening to kill each other,” freshman Alex Edmonds said.

Some verbal fights escalate so much that they turn into physical fights.

The job of ending fights usually goes to security guards, “but occasionally a nearby teacher stops the fight,” Norris said.

Security and teachers aren’t the only ones that get involved though. “Students even occasionally try to break up fights,” Preut said.

While some students might want to help end fights, others show up as spectators.

“The [students] all rush towards the fight, and try to push their way in front of everyone else to see,” Edmonds said.

Increased security and attention towards physical violence has made school a safer place for students, but when one form of fighting ends another will take its place. Different kinds of fights have made administrators and security find new ways to stop changing styles of fighting.