According to Pottsville Police, officers were dispatched to the school on May 27th, 2026, around 10:06 a.m. after the school resource officer requested assistance for a disturbance involving two males.
Police say an investigation determined that a verbal altercation had initially taken place between the individuals and that school staff had separated the parties involved. A short time later, the verbal dispute resumed and escalated into a physical altercation.
Video from the school reportedly showed Angel Garcia, 50, of Pottsville, and Mark Morales, 32, of Pottsville, clashing in the middle of the cafeteria during the event.
As a result of the investigation, Morales was charged with two counts of Simple Assault, graded as second-degree misdemeanors, along with one count of Disorderly Conduct, a third-degree misdemeanor.
Garcia was charged with one count of Disorderly Conduct, also graded as a third-degree misdemeanor.
Pottsville Area Superintendent Issues Statement
The following message was released by Superintendent Lowery
Good afternoon Parents and Guardians,
Good afternoon Parents and Guardians,
Today at John S. Clarke Elementary Center, several adult guests engaged in disorderly and disruptive
behavior that caused our Kindergarten show to be dismissed prior to the last song being performed. The adults involved made a decision to engage in unsafe behavior which disrupted an event that should have been a proud moment for all of our kindergarten families to enjoy.
behavior that caused our Kindergarten show to be dismissed prior to the last song being performed. The adults involved made a decision to engage in unsafe behavior which disrupted an event that should have been a proud moment for all of our kindergarten families to enjoy.
Our teachers and students have worked hard to prepare for this event, and the conduct displayed today
by some showed no regard for our amazing students and teachers who were looking forward to ending
the year on a memorable and positive note.
by some showed no regard for our amazing students and teachers who were looking forward to ending
the year on a memorable and positive note.
Our school team including our teachers, administration, support staff, and school resource officers all
worked together to ensure that the safety of our students, our staff, our guests, and our school, was our
top priority.
worked together to ensure that the safety of our students, our staff, our guests, and our school, was our
top priority.
We are also thankful for the quick response from the City of Pottsville Police Department for supporting
the collective efforts to ensure the adult actors did not further create unsafe conditions for our students,
staff, and families.
the collective efforts to ensure the adult actors did not further create unsafe conditions for our students,
staff, and families.
As a school community, we can not and will not let the actions of select individuals take away from our
students’ accomplishments, nor will we tolerate inappropriate decorum that not only creates unsafe
situations for all involved, but also takes an important moment away from our children.
students’ accomplishments, nor will we tolerate inappropriate decorum that not only creates unsafe
situations for all involved, but also takes an important moment away from our children.
Please be aware that the district will continue to enforce our expectations for all members of our school
community, and we will not tolerate conduct from our parents and guests that compromises the
fundamental belief that appropriate decorum is expected when in a school environment. Those
individuals who fail to model school-appropriate behaviors while on our campus will be warned and/or
excluded from our school buildings, grounds, and facilities, and may forfeit the ability to attend future
school events. Further, we will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and refer incidents for review by authorities as appropriate.
As a final note, it is important to thank the vast majority of families who were supportive of the school
team as we quickly worked to bring order to the event. The strength of our school community will
continue to be defined by the overwhelming support of our families, and our school is grateful for
everyone’s support as we work to ensure our students have a great remainder of the academic year.
team as we quickly worked to bring order to the event. The strength of our school community will
continue to be defined by the overwhelming support of our families, and our school is grateful for
everyone’s support as we work to ensure our students have a great remainder of the academic year.
Thank you for your continued support.
G. Lowery, Ed.D
G. Lowery, Ed.D