School safety and discipline were on the minds of about 25 parents gathered Tuesday night for a meeting prompted by recent fights and a lockdown at Vicksburg High School.

While some criticized school administrators and others district leadership, they were united in wanting to know specific policies — the grounds for suspension and expulsion — whether the guidelines are being enforced and how they can increase their involvement and presence in the district’s 15 schools, particularly the two high schools.

The group set a strategy for bringing their questions to the Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees, which meets Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the district office at 1500 Mission 66.

“We need to speak with one voice,” said Tina Abney, mother of a VHS ninth-grader, who spearheaded Tuesday’s meeting outside the Knights of Columbus hall. “We need 50 heads, or 60 heads, but one voice, or they are going to shut us down and show us the door.”

Abney filed a request Tuesday for a spot on the board’s agenda, which will allow her to address trustees for 5 minutes. Lynda Jackson, mother of one VHS student and aunt of another, also has requested time to speak to the board.

On March 20, nine students were arrested at VHS and the school was locked down after a midmorning brawl initially reported to involve 50 students.