Authorities are not ruling out the possibility of a hate crime as they continue to investigate an incident at Owatonna High School.It all started when two students turned in an assignment school officials say was disrespectful to the Somali culture.Those students were disciplined but when one of them returned to school earlier this week officials say he was unapologetic which caused a clash with several Somailian students...landing him in the hospital. Students at Owatonna High School noticed major changes on campus this week...Prestin Schwichtenberg says, "Tensions are a little heated, and it just kind of escalated too far."A race related fight on campus Monday sent the school into what students call a ''Tailspin''Now the 1600 strong High School student body must go through bag checks before they even enter the building.Kyle Zeman says, "We don't have the freedoms we used to because of the fights."What freedoms they do have are monitored by Owatonna Police officers....It's a presence the school has never known before, but after a tough week it's helping students get back on task.Shaun LaDue says, "This is what the institution is for, learning, and as a result we're not trying to be a distraction, we're just trying to make sure that process can take place."It's an ugly situation that has turned even uglier, as rumors fuel the fire, flying around the school and the community.Rumors like students were under a lockdown and that another large fight was scheduled...gossip school officials are struggling to control.Don Johnson says, "We're trying to get the rumors to calm down, we're trying to get the students into a routine of going to class and learning, that's what we're all about."Jennifer Hudspeth says, "While security measures have been increased this week the main message school officials want to get across to both parents and students is that Owatonna High School is a safe place to be."Chief LaDue says, "This is a community problem and we are going to have to tackle this together and make certain we're not in this situation again."Johnson says, "We have been sending the message out that we are conducting business as usual, this is a safe school."It's a message that fighting will not be tolerated...but patience and understanding will.Prestin Schwichtenberg says, "It's over a fight that doesn't really need to happen..."A message that is already making an impact on students. School officials say the extra security will be around until Thanksgiving break.The school will host an informational meeting for parents next Tuesday afternoon.