Jun 23, 2009 6:54 pm US/Eastern
Teachers Skip Graduation Over Broken Prom Pledges
Reporting
Cindy Hsu
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. (CBS) ―
Hundreds of high school seniors were set to graduate in South Plainfield Tuesday, but most of their teachers decided not to attend the ceremony.
Students at South Plainfield High School signed a pledge to arrive at their prom alcohol-free, but a group of seniors showed up drunk.
As punishment, the principal banned the students from graduation ceremonies, although they'd still receive their diplomas. Angry parents then went to the Board of Education which reversed the decision, allowing students to attend the graduation.
Upset with the Board of Ed dropping the punishment, the majority of teachers decided not to show up for the ceremony.
"I am deeply disappointed. The message this sends is there are no consequences for underaged drinking. They are condoning the behavior by rescinding the original decision," said Mindy Lazar, Executive Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
A parent who did not want to be identified agreed. "I feel it was wrong, they should've stuck to their guns and taught the kids a lesson."
"Now they're going to figure, now we can do whatever we want if we want to go out and get drunk at the prom we can they'll still let us walk down the aisle," said Linda Nemec, South Plainfield resident.
Some students feel the original punishment was too harsh.
"I think it's unfair, because that's their graduation. If they're not going to college that's the only time they're going to graduate maybe their families should see them," said Shane Howard.
"Even though it's wrong but everyone does it, why should the students be penalized?" said student Joe Vedutis.
Other students were disappointed that teachers will miss the ceremony.
"I think they should go but I don't know. I think they should support them no matter what because they've been with them for four years now," said Lauren Conrad.
"I don't think it's fair to the students who didn't do anything and weren't involved in the incident. I would like to say goodbye to the teachers I never said good bye to," Will Quesada said.
CBS 2HD contacted the superintendent, the Board of Education and the high school, and received no response.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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