Clovis Unified students plan own graduation after admitting to alcohol at prom, two failed appeals

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- There is simply a last-ditch effort to get 8 students connected the signifier with Clovis Unified graduations conscionable hours away.

"We filed a six-page exigency appeal," lawyer Steven Smith said.

He wants the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools to intervene and overturn Clovis Unified's determination to barroom immoderate students from walking.

However, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher says she cannot.

"There is nary entreaty process beyond the section territory level for suspensions oregon the removal of pupil extracurricular privileges," Cantwell-Copher wrote successful a connection to Action News.

"I bash not person a relation successful the matter."

"The incorrect illustration is being sent to the kids present - to prevarication and deny," Smith said.

Administrators banned his clients from graduation aft they admitted to having intoxicant connected their enactment autobus to prom.

Others who stayed soundless were not punished. Smith believes it was a "trick."

"What was the trick?" Action News asked.

"'Hop into the 'admit line,' archer maine what you did here, and we're going to dainty you better,'" Smith said, referring to what administrators allegedly told his clients astatine the prom.

The students appealed their subject to the schoolhouse board, and successful an affectional country past month, they pleaded their case.

"I americium devastated that my household cannot spot maine locomotion with my graduating people and observe specified an important milestone," 1 teenage lad told committee members.

"I committedness to you each that this acquisition was humiliating and that if you reconsider this decision, I volition beryllium an illustration of my experience."

Board members denied the appeal.

The territory is lasting by its probe into the incidental and the grounds it gathered astir which students were drinking.

Officials accidental they beryllium it to each students to support their connection connected the consequences for drinking, intelligibly outlined successful the elder contract.

"We've raised the information that minors can't participate into valid contracts," Smith said.

"The contracts present don't specify intoxicant arsenic a provision."

With nary signs that the students tin locomotion astatine Buchanan oregon Clovis North's graduations, the lawyer tells Action News they are present considering hosting a backstage graduation.

At slightest 1 Clovis Unified Trustee said helium would attend.

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