Coalfield students' senior prank lands them in legal trouble

Coalfield students' senior prank lands them in legal trouble

By ERICA ESTEP
6 News Anchor/Reporter

COALFIELD (WATE) -- It's the time of year when high school seniors across the country are pulling pranks, but nearly a dozen Coalfield School students are now in hot water for one.

It happened Sunday night. A group of students used a key to get inside where officials say they vandalized the school.

On Thursday, 6 News spoke with the accused students and their parents, who say the punishment is too tough.

Morgan County Director of Schools Mike Davis wouldn't elaborate on the damage in Coalfield School and 6 News wasn't allowed inside.

However, Davis says the mess began in the lobby of the Pre-K through 12 school and extended on down the senior hall.

Eight students are being investigated, but more may be involved. 6 News spoke with some of them and their parents after agreeing not to show their faces or use their names.

One unidentified female student explained what happened. "There was detergent and coffee poured on the floor and there was like things with car chalk written on the lockers and windows of the doors and there was silly string."

One mother says, "Granted, they shouldn't have done it, but they done it. It's what they do every year."

Some of the students admit their involvement. Some don't. All say it was meant to be an innocent prank, but the consequences aren't funny.

One Mom explains, "They're sending them to juvenile court. They are keeping them away from their baccalaureate services."

A Dad adds, "They are not allowed to participate in any of the activities up to graduation. They are able to walk, but they're not going to get their diploma until they finish four days of summer school."

The students will also have to foot the bill for cleanup, about $1,000.

The parents cite other incidents of student vandalism where they say the consequences weren't as severe. 

When asked if they condone the behavior, the four parents who spoke with 6 News say no. They say the kids should be punished, but not so severely.

The parents of the accused students appealed the principal's decision to the director of schools, but he says he'll uphold the original punishment.

Davis admits the students involved aren't problem students and no equipment was broken. However, he believes the punishment is appropriate.

He declined to comment further because of an ongoing investigation. The students also face criminal charges.