ALBANY, Ore. (KMTR) -- Five students were suspended from West Albany High School Friday after failing a sobriety test at school.
Five seniors left campus for lunch Friday, which is allowed per the school’s policy. When they returned, a teacher suspected they were under the influence of some type of intoxicant. The teacher forwarded the concerns to the principal and all five students' parents were called in.
The superintendent says a police officer then performed a sobriety test and all five failed. They also all denied that they had used any type of substance not allowed at school. Next, the students were offered the option to take a urinalysis test to prove their innocence, which all five declined.
The students were all suspended; depending on their prior history, they could be referred for expulsion hearings. A hearings officer would take testimony from administrators, the students, and their parents before making a call. District representatives say it’s still too soon to know what disciplinary measures each student might face.
Administrators want to emphasize that the students were suspended because they failed the field test and not because they refused a urinalysis. The superintendent says it was a tough way to start the school year, but wants to recognize all the other students who made it a great first week back in class.
