Following a Halloween drinking party, six varsity players, one junior varsity player and six or seven varsity cheerleaders from Anderson Union High School were reportedly suspended from extra-curricular activities for up to 30 days or subject to weekly drug and alcohol testing for the next six weeks.
According to Tehama County Undersheriff Dennis Garton, his officers were called shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 to an incident on the equestrian field at Lake California involving teenagers and alcohol. The party-goers were reportedly spinning the tires of their automobiles and cutting brodies or large circles into the grassy field, Garton said.
However, when sheriff's deputies arrived at the gated community, the outdoor party had disbanded and no arrests or citations were made, Garton said.
School officials as well as the Lake California Home Owner's Association are being tight-lipped about the incident that may involve one of the school's coaches, whose daughter hosted the outdoor party, a sleep-over and who reportedly knew alcohol was served.
"There was an incident, but it was handled within our policy," said Brian Parker, assistant principal for AUHS.
"We have an athletic handbook. We follow the policy. I can't divulge the particulars of the matter, but we do have a policy we follow," said Tim Azevedo, superintendent of Anderson Union High School District.
According to the AUHSD policy found on West Valley's website, "the California Education Code states that students may be suspended or recommended for expulsion when determined to be under the influence or in possession of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs."
For the first offense, the policy recommends five days of suspension, one year's disciplinary probation, a parent conference and referral to Shasta County Sheriff's Department. For the second offense, the district's policy requires placement in the district's alternative education program or a recommendation for expulsion.
According to the athletic policy for AUHSD, athletes and cheerleaders who are found using alcohol during the season will be suspended from sports. For the first offense, the athlete/cheerleader "will be suspended from all sports, practices and athletic activities for the remainder of that season or 30 school and/or practice days, whichever is longer." The student will be drug tested beginning at the start of the next season for which they are eligible.
Several calls to the Lake California Home Owner's Association were not returned by press time.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 1
Bobby writes:
this is silly... he said she said scenario really. where is the proof that got each student into trouble? it's just word of mouth and you shouldn't be able to punish students unless you have evidence. which it sounds like there is none. Just the words of others spilling out names and faces they say were at this party. which as the report says wasn't even going on when the police arrived! SO again my question is why punish kids when there's no evidence of what their being accused of? Doesn't make much sense to me.
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