A Viewmont High School senior suspended for the rest of the year for his alleged involvement in a hazing incident has decided to file an appeal with the Davis School District.
With only nine days left in the term, "we're hoping for an expedited procedure," said David Hirschi, the attorney for John Albiston, 18."The concern is that John is the only senior involved in the district's action and because he is being denied participation in all senior activities, we wonder whether the punishment is justified," said Hirschi, reading from a prepared statement.
Neither Hirschi nor Norm Albiston, the young man's father, would comment on John Albiston's alleged involvement in the hazing incident May 7. That night, approximately 40 students from Viewmont High School descended on a group of Centerville ninth-graders who were camping on the foothills above the city, allegedly knocking down their tents, pelting them with water balloons, eggs and paint guns, and pulling down some of the younger boys' pants.
A letter sent to Albiston by the Davis School District states that he is being "removed" from school for "his involvement in a hazing incident," Hirschi said. Nine other alleged hazers have also been suspended from Viewmont for the rest of the term, which ends June 4.
The Centerville Police Department has cited Albiston and nine other alleged hazers with disorderly conduct. One of the nine also faces assault charges for allegedly paddling one of the ninth-graders.
"We had a violation, and based on that we can have an alternative placement," said Paul Waite, director of secondary schools for the Davis School District. Any appeal will be referred to a third-party arbitrator. District policy allows the arbitrator 10 days to reach a decision.
Waite has previously said the Davis School District has a "zero tolerance policy against hazing."