Superintendent Files Restraining Order Against Parent Following Baraboo High School Graduation Incident

Baraboo High School Graduation Incident

BARABOO, Wis. – A high school graduation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, turned chaotic when a parent stormed the stage and confronted the district superintendent. The incident, which occurred on May 31, 2024, has since gone viral, drawing significant media attention and public outrage.

During the Baraboo High School graduation ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Rainey Briggs was approached aggressively by a parent, identified as Matthew Eddy.

According to Dr. Briggs’ restraining order petition, Eddy rushed the stage and pushed Briggs, yelling, “You are not going to touch my (expletive) daughter.” The altercation occurred just before Eddy’s daughter was set to receive her diploma, leaving the graduate visibly confused and upset.

Witnesses reported that the scene unfolded in front of approximately 2-3 thousand attendees. As Eddy continued to push and pry at Briggs, the superintendent tried to maintain space and ordered Eddy to get away from him. The confrontation was eventually managed by a school resource officer and two off-duty officers, who escorted Eddy out of the venue.

In the wake of the incident, Dr. Briggs filed a restraining order against Eddy, which was granted by a judge.

Eddy has also been cited for disorderly conduct, with charges referred to the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office. Eddy’s actions have been widely condemned by the Baraboo School District and the local community.

The Baraboo School District issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to safety and condemning the parent’s behavior.

“No employee of the School District of Baraboo should fear for their physical safety when fulfilling their job duties or at any other time,” the statement read. The district underscored the importance of civil discourse and the unacceptability of violence or intimidation within the school community.

The incident quickly went viral, with the video of the altercation being widely shared on social media. Many commentators, including Wisconsin State Representative Francesca Hong, labeled Eddy’s actions as racist. The video shows Eddy grabbing Dr. Briggs, who is Black, and pushing him aside as the crowd reacts with shouts and boos.

The viral nature of the video has sparked a broader conversation about race, safety, and appropriate behavior at public events.

Social media users and community members alike have expressed their outrage and disappointment over the incident, calling for a thorough investigation and appropriate consequences for Eddy.

The Baraboo School District has reiterated its focus on celebrating the achievements of its graduates, despite the disruption.

“Our primary focus remains on celebrating the achievements of our graduates,” a district spokesperson said. “We want to ensure that the significance of this milestone and the hard work of our students are not overshadowed by this unfortunate event”.

The School Board of Baraboo has also taken a strong stance against the behavior exhibited during the graduation ceremony. In a statement, the board emphasized the need for respectful and civil discourse in educational settings and condemned any form of physical aggression.

This incident is not the first time Baraboo High School has faced controversy.

In 2018, the school made national headlines when a photo surfaced showing students performing a Nazi salute. The school district’s handling of that incident drew criticism and highlighted ongoing challenges within the community related to race and behavior standards.