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Official: Students Suspended For Roles In Fatal Westchester Teen Stabbing

Several New Rochelle High School students have been suspended as the investigation into the fatal stabbing of Valaree Schwab continues, school officials said at a community meeting this week.

On Monday, city and school officials met with members of the business community on North Avenue to discuss a series of new police initiatives to improve safety along the North Avenue corridor.

The meeting came on the heels of several violent incidents involving students, including the fatal stabbing of Schwab, a 16-year-old junior at the high school whose last moments alive show her being harassed by a group of seven people, including Z’inah Brown, who is facing a second-degree murder charge for the fatal stabbing.

During Monday’s meeting, interim Assistant Schools Superintendent Amy Goodman said that the investigation into the fatal incident is ongoing, the school is cooperating with the district attorney’s office and that the other students involved have since been suspended.

The violent incidents led to district-wide changes and an increased police presence at the high school. The school district also announced a re-registration process for all students.

Officials have also proposed the creation of a new Executive Director of Security position in the district, which would be appointed by school officials. The appointee would “be a widely respected security expert who would be empowered to supersede school officials and assume command if an incident should occur.”

Earlier this month, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said that "beyond these immediate steps, as we move forward, the Board of Education will initiate an independent security audit, and the School District, along with City and community representatives, will undertake an independently-led, top-to-bottom review of policies, practices, and procedures related to student safety."

“Please be assured that City School District of New Rochelle Board of Education and Administration place the safety of your children as our highest and most critically important priority,” New Rochelle Schools Superintendent Brian Osborne stated. “We will continue to communicate our efforts to you on this through ongoing communication and public meetings.” 

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