15 Carroll High School Seniors Sent to Alternative School

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Posted: 11:32 AM May 14, 2008
Last Updated: 11:32 AM May 14, 2008

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OZARK, Ala. (AP) - Fifteen Carroll High School seniors accused in causing $5,000 worth of damage by spray painting at the school have been sent to alternative school after being charged with criminal mischief and trespassing.

Family members say the students should be able to walk during graduation ceremonies. School officials took the privilege away from the students as well as saying they could not attend prom or other graduation activities.

The students stood before the Ozark City School Board Tuesday to apologize. Ozark City Schools Superintendent Michael Lenhart said he would meet with the parents later to discuss the possibility of the students marching in ceremonies.

He said each student was punished based on the level of involvement in the vandalism. Lenhart noted that the decision about punishment was made by a panel.

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Posted by: Bridgette Location: Ozark on Jul 1, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Ok Ozark High School is all over!! They didn,t walk! Just remember the student that poision the teacher, that right poision the teacher! He will be on a killing spree soon because Carroll High covered that up but im pretty sure thoses 15 students will never spray paint anything ever again!! WATCH YOUR COFFEE CUPS TEACHERS!!

Posted by: Anonymous on May 23, 2008 at 09:02 AM
If I had a child that did something like this I would be too embarrassed for them to participate in the graduation ceremonies and I would think that my child would be too embarassed as well. It amazes me that some people are so brazen and bold and think that rules do not apply to them. You would think that they would be too ashamed to want to walk in front of their peers, teachers, and the other parents. This was not a harmless senior prank either. I don't call $5000 woth of damage harmless. It's just downright disrespectful and shows a lack of pride in your school.

Posted by: LISA Location: OZARK on May 15, 2008 at 01:18 PM
The students have earned the right to walk across the stage,judge not by one mistake. In their young minds, this was a harmless senior prank. Pranks have been published in Eagle year books with captions suggesting humor and iventiveness.I certaily thought it was funny when bubbles ran from the Boll Weevil Monument of Enterprise, Alabama. The prank and the bubbles landed a colorful picture in the Eagle year book, vandalism the same. Those students have been punished. Get over it!!! What did you think about those Boll Weevil Bubbles, Michael?

Posted by: Incredulous Location: Dothan AL on May 15, 2008 at 12:09 PM
So, the Ozark schools will follow SOME of the rules SOME of the time, but will make exceptions if they really want to, right? Sad. This will be a hard-learned lesson, but most valuable life lessons are. Don't cave in to the parents' pressure. Stand fast.

Posted by: Michael Location: Enterprise on May 15, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Obviously they did not have enough respect for the school, faculty, other students. So, really, why should they care if they walk across the stage of that "stupid school" (I say this because with their action this is what they portrayed their feelings of the school to be). They earned the right to graduate from school, yes. By their own actions (be it a mistake or not) they took away their own rights to be called an Eagle. You brought Our Saviour Jesus into the comments, well remember that those who persecuted him, even though forgiven, were also punished. As for the city officials, well if people would not commit crimes, lie about crimes, or stand up and assist when asked to then maybe, just maybe things would be resolved quicker. Let them graduate, but they again by their own actions have shown they do not have the respect enough for the school to earn the right to walk across the Eagle stage.

Posted by: LISA Location: OZARK on May 14, 2008 at 11:24 PM
continued...and despite this mistake a wonderful group of youngsters. To District Attorney Kirk Adams and The Ozark Police Dept, what a legacy you will leave, you must be so proud to know that you can harshly punish 15 high school seniors, but cannot solve the almost ten year old murders of two Dothan teenagers. Good to know you have your priorities straight and are using tax dollars worthwhile. To the 15 high school seniors, Keep your heads up, this too shall pass. Don't let this one mistake label you. I wish you much success. To the people of the Ozark community and wiregrass who are so judgemental, REMEMBER THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN ONE PERFECT ONE,AND HIS MESSAGE WAS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS.

Posted by: fred on May 14, 2008 at 11:20 PM
maybe these young people will see that if you do the crime them pay the time. these kids are old enough to know right from wrong, would they want this to happen to their own homes? i think not!!

Posted by: LISA Location: OZARK on May 14, 2008 at 11:13 PM
How many of you can honestly look at yourselves in the mirror and say...I am perfect. I have never made a mistake. I am certain not many, if any. The graduation ceremony represents twelve years of school for those students, parents and educators. It is not fair to take that away because of one mistake. The 15 high school seniors will finish the year out in alternative school and have received community service assignments, that is punishment enough. There have been many incidents at Carroll High school and within the Ozark Community more serious than the vandalism, but we have a tendency to over look certain events depending on ethnicity, financial status, and affiliation with those who believe they are empowered. This case has been blown way out of proportion. These students are not murderers, drug dealers or hard core criminals. They are high school seniors headed for college, the us millitary and the work force. They are productive members of society.

Posted by: Gary Location: Dothan on May 14, 2008 at 06:22 PM
I Can not beleive some of the responses. Right is right, wrong is wrong. There is no middle ground for any circumstance. If the Schools rule says expulsion, then expulsion it should be. By slapping a few wrist, I dont think they will learn a lesson. Instead what they will learn is that they can do more wrong in society and expect another break when they get caught.

Posted by: Kayla Location: Ozark on May 14, 2008 at 04:26 PM
I graduated from Carroll and if that had of happened when I was there I wouldn't have wanted them to walk! What they did was their choice and they should not get to march! That is a special time and they ruined their chance! It is their own stupidity!!

Posted by: Hartford on May 14, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Ok I get the point...Rules are rules and yes they should have know better..And to maybe this will be a lesson in life you do the crime you do the time...

Posted by: Robin Location: Ozark on May 14, 2008 at 03:58 PM
All of our choice in life have consequences. Society seems to have gotten away from that. The sooner this lesson is learned the better. I completly agree with James. It is not fair for those students who have obeyed the rules and worked hard to have to share the stage with those who have made these kinds of choices. What were these kids thinking? This went beyond simple mischief. I hope that Mr Lenhart and the others involved in the decision making process are able to stand their ground on this matter and stick with their decision.

Posted by: john Location: hartford al on May 14, 2008 at 03:04 PM
put it to a vote...let the other kids attending the school they vandalized vote on them attending or not attending ceremonies. They would be judged by their peers. Who best to decide their fate but their fellow classmates who probably know them and their character better than anyone.

Posted by: CYNTHIA KINNEY on May 14, 2008 at 03:02 PM
I don't know any of these students but they should have known better. If they have no respect for the other students and the school,why should they be allowed to walk at graduation? They also should not be allowed to attend the prom or any other functions. If they're old enough to do the crime, then they should pay the penalty.

Posted by: jane Location: dothan on May 14, 2008 at 02:20 PM
If you do something, whether it is right or wrong, you suffer the consequenses. They do not deserve to walk across the stage! They should think of it as the rest of their punishment and then they can get on with the rest of their life. LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY.

Posted by: James Location: Ozark on May 14, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Had these students not used the profanity that they used on the school property. I would not mind if they walked, but they took it too far. If you read the school handbook, it even says that vandalism is grounds for immediate expulsion from school. This means no diploma period! That would mess up their whole lives! The school board and administrators were very easy on them by even allowing them to graduate at all! Plus it's not fair to those senior who have done what they are supposed to all 4 years to share the stage with other who apparently could not have cared less about the school.

Posted by: Hartford on May 14, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Let them march that is what they went to school for..Do not take that away from them that will destory their whole life...Give them a fine and let them go on...After all we have people that do a lot worse out here and get a slap on the wrist and go on with life..Let these children have that chance..I am sure they have learned thier leason.. It is nothing to me I am not kin to none of them and do not live there but give them a chance..God Bless All...