March 29, 2024

Iowa students may be barred from graduation following prank

FORT MADISON (AP) — Some southeast Iowa high school students may be banned from graduating next month after a senior prank that officials say crossed the line and became criminal.

The Fort Madison Police Department said 19 seniors at Fort Madison High School broke into the school Sunday. The next day, officials discovered the school covered in toilet paper, Vaseline and posters, including some that featured obscenities.

Students also threw water balloons inside the building, tied the front doors shut with rope and burned toilet paper rolls outside. The students were identified through video surveillance and given 13-day out-of-school suspensions.

Students were warned in advance that a senior prank would result in losing permission to attend graduation, according to School Board President Tim Wondra. Backing off from the warning would break precedent for the future, he said.

“The next class will think, ‘Well, last year the kids broke inside the building and did some vandalism and got away with just a slap on the wrist. We will just do the same thing only bigger and then go to the school board and say we are sorry, now let us walk at the graduation ceremony please,’” Wondra said.

Some parents said they’ll appeal the suspension decision to the board. Parent Richard Fehseke asked school officials to review the situation and consider if the punishment is appropriate.

“I hate to say it, but it’s more along the lines of a prank then a permanent destruction on school property,” Fehseke said.

Lee County Attorney Ross Braden said he’s looking into an informal punishment, such a community service hours and reimbursement for damages instead of criminal charges. The students had no prior contact with law enforcement, he said.