ONE CAN LOCK DOWN A HIGH SCHOOL. Apparently, it's not even newsworthy. What depresses, however, is the reason for the lockdown.

Hamilton High School in Milwaukee was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon following a series of fights involving students and adults.

No one was injured in the disturbances, which began around 1 p.m. when an irate parent showed up at the school demanding to see a specific student to "settle the score," said Roseann St. Aubin, Milwaukee Public Schools' spokeswoman.

Parental meddling in school affairs is nothing new. At one time, however, it was limited to keeping a good face on things at Hamilton High. "Our kids selling narcotics? Isn't happening. Not-so-secret keg parties deep in the Root River Parkway? Must be those spoiled rich kids from Greendale."