Students' future unknown after allegedly attacking faculty
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Amherst police were called to fights at Sweet Home and Amherst high schools on May 29 involving three female students, two of whom allegedly attacked faculty members.

Xiomara M. Castellanos, 17, of Amherst Central, had reportedly been in a fight with fellow student Delisse M. Calhoun, 17, at the school at 11:50 a.m. which prompted officials to call police.

"They were in an argument and began fighting. An employee from the school broke up the fight," said Assistant Chief John Askey.

Castellanos was moved to an office, where according to police, she picked up a large textbook and struck the employee in the arm. She then used a large metal tray to strike the employee in the knee, causing a laceration.

She was charged with disorderly conduct for harassment and injury to an employee of a school - a D felony.

Askey said she was not bailed out by family or friends and was in jail from Tuesday through Thursday when she was released by a judge to her parents.

The charges have been reduced to misdemeanors and she will be tried in Amherst Town Court.

The second student, Calhoun, was charged with disorderly conduct for fighting.

The school held a superintendent's hearing on Monday to determine the students' eligibility to attend school and/or take part in activities.

Sweet Home High School also held a superintendent's hearing, on Tuesday, for a 15-year-old female student who allegedly attacked a teacher in a classroom on May 29. The decisions were not made prior to press time.

According to police, the student, who is not named because of her age, was being removed from a classroom for being disruptive. She then attacked the teacher, hitting the teacher in the head, choking and scratching her.

Askey said the attack continued until another employee came to the woman's aid.

Police reported that upon arrival the student also struggled with officers.

She was petitioned to Family Court.

"Assaults to teachers in town are rare but incidents of this nature are taken very seriously. We prosecute to the fullest extent," Askey said.