4 suspended for skunk-oil prank

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Mar 10, 2006 | by Associated Press

SPRINGVILLE -- Four seniors have been suspended for spraying skunk oil in Springville High School.

The Nebo School District board voted Wednesday to suspend the seniors for 90 days, which could affect their graduation.

The incident occurred during an early morning in late February, when the seniors, dressed in black, climbed a pipe, entered the school through the ceiling and sprayed the scent, district officials said.

The students sprayed carpets, walls, floors and vents, Superintendent Chris Sorensen said.

They confessed after they heard that it had been captured on security cameras, including a clear shot of the license plate on their car, Sorensen said.

District spokeswoman Lana Hiskey said four students were involved, and three of them were 18. Police were investigating.

The students initially were suspended by school officials for 10 days, pending action by the district, said Principal Ann Anderson.

Their 90-day suspensions would extend past the last day of school. The district has reduced some suspensions in the past.

Sorensen said the district would help the students try to continue their education outside of the school in order to graduate.

The stench still lingers in the hall near the gym and auditorium, Anderson said. Some teachers and students still can't walk through the affected part of the building without retching.

A basketball banquet, a play and a parent-teacher event have been disrupted because of the smell.

Board member Collin Allan speculated that the prank "turned out worse than what (the students) had anticipated."

The students offered to help with the cleanup, but the district rejected that offer because of liability concerns, Sorensen said.

Parents have taken home rugs to try to get the smell out, and if they can't be saved, they would cost hundreds of dollars to replace, said Steve Maughan, director of operations.

He said the cost so far has been about $800 and has required no outside help -- only the time and work of district and school personnel.