Punishment Stinks, But So Did Crime

A smelly senior prank at East Valley High School led to several students being punished.

Custodians called sheriff’s deputies just after midnight Friday to report that a load of manure had been dumped on the lawn in front of the high school.

The school building was also egged.

It was unclear exactly how much manure had been dumped, but custodians thought they would need a bobcat to remove it, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

Six deputies arrived at the school shortly after the incident and began questioning students parked at nearby East Valley Middle School.

East Valley Superintendent Les Portner said 20 to 30 seniors were identified as having taken part in the prank. All must do “a significant amount” of clean-up work, he said.

“It was broom and dustpan time,” Portner said.

The students’ diplomas are being withheld until all of the community service has been completed, Portner said.

Area schools typically beef up security during the week before graduation, Reagan said.

No major vandalism was reported at any other Valley schools.