School to drop prank charges

The Kaneland school board has asked administrators to drop trespassing charges against two graduates caught in the high school at 2 a.m. last week.

"Our administration has sound and legal reasons to pursue criminal charges," read a statement from the school board. "However, as a board, we are directing the administration to drop the charges."

The district also will not pursue charges against seven other seniors involved in the incident.

In exchange, the Class of 2008 graduates have to complete 80 hours of community service; write apology letters to community members, police, administrators and custodians; and videotape a presentation for students about what they had done wrong.

If those criteria aren't met by Aug. 1, the district will file charges, officials said.

The nine students were in the high school about 2 a.m. June 3, Kane County sheriff's Cmdr. John Marszalek said. They were pulling closed plastic zip-ties on the junior class' lockers. The next day was the last day of school for underclassmen; seniors had already graduated.

A third-shift custodian was in the school and called police, Superintendent Charles McCormick said.

School board members felt because there was no intent to do damage and policies on senior pranks weren't communicated well enough, the charges should be dropped, McCormick said.

Some people also brought up concerns about how even a misdemeanor conviction could affect the students' future, he said.

Because the students had already graduated, the district couldn't issue school sanctions, McCormick said.

How the students got into the building is unclear. Students said they found a door unlocked, McCormick said. But a custodian in the building told police he heard breaking glass.

The district will be tightening its policies on senior pranks in the near future, McCormick said.

"Fifteen years ago, maybe even five years ago, this wouldn't have been as big of a problem," he said. "But times have changed, and building security is a big issue."

About 35 parents and students met in closed session with the school board and administrators for several hours Monday night.

Kevin Claesson, a spokesman for the group, said Tuesday he would not comment on the meeting.

School board statement

The Board of Education is deeply saddened and concerned by the lack of good judgment exhibited by the young gentlemen in front of us.

While we recognize the traditions that previous students for generations have chosen to mark their senior year have not always been in the best interest of the district, we also recognize the seriousness of the current situation.

Our administration has sound and legal reasons to pursue criminal charges. However, as a board, we are directing the administration to drop the charges.

The intent of the board, however, is to file charges if the following conditions are not met by Aug. 1:

• A videotape or presentation to students that states what was done, why it was wrong and how it could have affected their future.

• Up to 80 hours of community service.

• Formal apology letters written to the following: community, police, administration, custodians.