SVHS students stage walk-out to protest dismissal of former deputy

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Friday afternoon close to 100 Spring Valley High School students staged a walk-out. The students were protesting the dismissal of the school’s resource officer, former deputy Ben Fields, officials tell ABC Columbia. Fields was fired after video surfaced showing him throwing a student to the ground after she refused to leave a classroom on Monday, Oct. 26. In an email addressed to parents the email from Jeff Temoney, principal of Spring Valley High School said: Dear Spring Valley Family, “You may be getting word that students protested today at our school. I want to assure you that it was an orderly student-led activity. Our students and our staff were safe and are safe on campus.” “A lot of rumors are circulating about the protest, so I want you to have the facts. Around 10 a.m. about 100 students gathered in our atrium to express their opinions about the events of this week. I addressed the students to let them know that we understood their need to make their voices heard. Then I reminded them that Spring Valley High is all about the business of teaching and learning, so it’s time to go back to class. Students returned to class in an orderly fashion. Students were back in class in less than 10 minutes.” “At no time, were any students or staff in any danger. School is carrying on in a safe and productive manner today.”