In a three to one vote, the Dallas County School Board turned down a recommendation made by Dallas County Schools Superintendent Fannie McKenzie to suspend Wanda Tyler, a Southside High School teacher, for inviting a female student to fight her in the lunchroom.

During their regular school board meeting, an open hearing was held to determine whether or not Tyler’s alleged actions warranted a five-day suspension without pay.

The incident, which occurred Thursday, Dec. 13, began when Tyler asked a 15-year-old female student to sign the tardy note. After refusing to obey Tyler’s instructions, the student got up on a lunchroom table and “jumped” Tyler. Three other female students joined in the attack.

After the incident occurred, McKenzie said she, along with other local authorities, questioned students and teachers who were in the lunchroom and witnessed the attack. According to McKenzie, several students reported Tyler saying “Do you want some of this,” after the student showed signs of violence — a phrase, McKenzie said, children say to prompt fights.

“There are two issues here — one is for what the children did and the second is for what the teacher failed to do,” McKenzie said, addressing the school board. “The issue is the teacher invited the student to fight them — which is extremely inappropriate. If the teacher had not done that, then the actual fight wouldn’t have taken place.”

After watching footage of the incident, Theron Stokes, the attorney representing Tyler, pointed out that no actions occurred that showed Tyler enticing a fight.

“If a teacher tells a student to do something, it’s the student’s responsibility to say yes ma’m or yes sir,” Stokes said. “If you suspend [Tyler], what kind of message is that sending to our schools? That it’s alright to fight your teacher?”

Stokes also pointed out that all four females tested positive for having drugs in their system during the time of the incident. Also, Tyler suffered several cuts and bruises from the attack.

All four female students involved were sentenced to attend boot camp and complete 40 hours of community service as a result of the incident.

In an impromptu executive session, the board discussed the information presented during the open hearing.

Tyler, during the recess, said she was confident the school board would decline McKenzie’s request.

“We presented the facts and when they look at the facts, I’m sure everything will come out the way it’s supposed to,” Tyler said.

Upon reconvening, the board voted, turning down McKenzie’s recommendation. Board member Carolyn Bates abstained from the vote, stating she had not been a member long enough to make an informed decision.