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HOUSTON -- Ryan Middle School is a school in crisis. For two years, it has been rated by the state as academically unacceptable.

Last fall the principal was let go and teachers say morale is low.

Anika Thorn is scared to send her daughter to school. She said there is a fight almost every week.

"She's been in two. She also got jumped by two girls since she's been here,” said Thorn.

But the Houston school district says it has a plan to turn the school around.

A new principal started Monday.

And, with school board approval, a new staff could be coming with $5,000 signing bonuses for teachers.

Community leaders say it is about time.

"You can't treat a school in crisis as a school that is actually healthy,” said community activist Minister D.Z. Cofield.

Thornton just wants her daughter safe at school.

"I'm scared, a little actually worried and scared,” she said.

And hoping new leadership takes the school in a new direction.