A judge's order has students returning to Gallup High School after a senior prank that occurred on April Fool's Day.
Students at the school are returning to in-person classes this week after an elaborate senior prank that allegedly cost the school $30,000 in damages, resulting in a number of indefinite suspensions. The suspensions were ended following a court order from a McKinley County judge, according to KOB 4.
"GMCS [Gallup McKinley County School District] will challenge the writ of mandamus in court on Monday, April 25 at 2:30 p.m.," the assistant superintendent of personnel said in an email, as reported by KOB 4. "Your child can currently return to school, but if GMCS prevails in court, then the discipline that was imposed after you chose not to attend a GMCS discipline hearing will resume.”
Videos and photos taken during the incident showed glitter, streamers, and toilet paper strewn about the school's hallways. The school claimed an immense cost in damages, despite the police report stating there was $0 in damages.
In response to the suspensions, many students quickly acquired attorneys who then took the matter to court. That resulted in a judge ordering that the suspension should be lifted and the students should return to class, according to KOB 4.
While the suspension was lifted due to the school district not following standard protocol, the district still intends on holding a disciplinary hearing for the students on Monday, and those students are still barred from participating in sports and other extracurricular activities, KOB 4 reported.
