School district releases photos, details of Mtn. View HS vandalism; 17 seniors face criminal charges, school punishments

(Update: Adding criminal charges, school punishments, some seniors claim overreaction; KTVZ.COM Poll)

Must write letter, stay off all school campuses; 'a few' can't take part in graduation

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Officials released details and photos Friday of this week's vandalism and theft at Mountain View High School during a 'senior prank' gone awry that led to cancellation of two traditional end-of-school year activities. They also detailed punishments handed out to those involved, including misdemeanor charges, school community service, a "sincere" letter to future seniors and some not allowed to take part in Saturday's graduation.

Bend-La Pine Schools Director of Communications Scott Maben says the initial vandalism took place early Wednesday morning, and more occurred Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

According to Maben, 20 students entered the school after midnight on Wednesday, placing two appliances in front of the main entrance and filled them with cement. He called this a "safety issue," as the appliances were blocking an emergency exit.

In common areas and classrooms, furniture was moved or overturned, the floors were littered with garbage or papers, and toilets were filled with hot dogs.

The incident also involved broken equipment in a math classroom, interior wall damage, and "nearly $1,000 worth of yearbooks were stolen," Maben said.

The school district acknowledged that the vandalism was cleaned up with the help of around 40 staff and some students prior to the arrival of most students starting the school day.

And that is part of why some seniors told us Friday they feel the canceled school assembly and seniors BBQ was an overreaction to what occurred.

“They clearly had it cleaned up," said senior Harper Herzog. "We got in there 15 minutes after school started and things were pretty much good to go, aside from some minor door damage.”

On the additional vandalism that occurred Wednesday night or Thursday morning, Maben reported exterior windows were spray-painted with "obscene messages." He noted staff and student volunteers helped to clean some of the vandalism prior to that school day's start.

Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said case reports indicate officers referred three juveniles under age 18 to the Deschutes County Juvenile Department for possible charges and cited and released 14 adults 18 or older on suspicion of second-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.

Bend Police did tell NewsChannel 21 that student participants could have been charged with felony burglary, but the school district declined that and chose the lesser trespassing instead.

The school district announced that after meeting with the students involved, the school imposed a variety of disciplinary measures. The consequences include:

• A one-year trespass from all Bend-La Pine School District campuses, beginning on June 9, 2024.
• A hand-written, sincere letter to future seniors who might be thinking about pranking or damaging the school, and why that is not a great idea, based on your experiences this past week.
• Completing five hours of supervised, school-specific community service.
• A few students have lost their privilege to participate in Saturday's graduation ceremony due to the level of their involvement.

The school also cancelled a senior BBQ and a school-wide assembly where students showcase what they've been working on. Herzog commented on this saying, "if they had just reacted, what i would believe in a rational manner they could have easily just held accountable people that did it."

"(The) school acted way too emotionally," said another senior, Liam Williams. "We had big things planned for it, for like the whole school, and it was canceled because of 15 to 20 people."

Williams and Herzog are teachers' aides for a program called Life Skills. They tell NewsChannel 21 the program had been preparing for the assembly.

"They were planning to do a song to get the recognition and totally canceled and they were super bummed out and had negative consequences on them," Williams said.

Maben said not all of the consequences were applied to all 20 or so students who were involved but said federal student privacy laws limited what information could be released.

Despite the sour end to the year, Herzog had a message for seniors and the rest of the student body: "Don't let this dampen the end of the year. It got blown out of proportion. It's been dealt with. Just move on."

Principal Michael Hicks also provided a new comment Friday:

“In the past, there have been senior pranks that are creative, memorable and harmless. What happened this week was malicious and insulting toward our building staff and student body. I cannot condone this sort of behavior toward our school. It’s important that these events not overshadow the accomplishments of this senior class. This is a week for gratitude, reflection and celebration with family and friends. We look forward to honoring our graduates on Saturday for this remarkable milestone.”

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Earlier info:

"We believe these students were Mountain View seniors," a statement issued Wednesday by Bend-La Pine Schools said. "The district is investigating the incident and will hold accountable those found to be responsible for the damage. Law enforcement is assisting in the investigation."

Asked for any details of the acts that occurred, Bend-La Pine Director of Communications Scott Maben said, "I was not able to get a rundown on specific vandalism, just that it was more than acts that could be easily cleaned up. Some repairs will be needed."

Principal Michael Hicks said, “This was not a prank; this was willful destruction and theft of school property, and does not align with our core values about caring for our school and for one another. I’m deeply disappointed that a group of students would choose to do something so disrespectful and tasteless to our school community, especially as we focus this week on celebrating the accomplishments of our senior class.”

On Thursday morning, some graffiti was found outside the school and was cleaned up before students arrived, Maben said. A caller to NewsChannel 21 said it was an obscene message targeting the principal.

Mountain View had planned to hold an assembly and senior barbecue Wednesday in honor of the Class of 2024, which graduates on Saturday.

"Today’s celebrations were canceled as staff were deployed to clean up the mess and ensure the school was safe, accessible and ready for student learning," the school district said. "Members of the student council also helped clean up the mess."

“We understand the frustration and immense disappointment in the cancellation of the assembly and senior BBQ when this was an act of the few,” Hicks said. “However, our priorities remain firm: ensure campus safety, the well-being of our students, and all of our students’ access to learning, first and foremost.”

The school district said that the "Mountain View team is continuing to prepare for graduation and looks forward to celebrating with its seniors on Saturday."

“Despite this unfortunate incident, we are proud of our Mountain View community and all the staff, students and families who contribute to a positive school culture and are dedicated to excellence,” Hicks said. “We are getting back on track to celebrating the end of this school year and the accomplishments of the Class of 2024.”

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Here's a message Hicks sent to parents about what took place:

Dear MVHS Parents and Families,

As many of you have heard already, last night our school was broken into and vandalized by approximately 20 Senior students.  As we all arrived at school, our goal of celebrating our Senior class today shifted as we had to dedicate time to ensuring our campus was safe, accessible, and a place where our students can learn without disruption.  We immediately began a campus clean-up and an investigation into the crimes that were committed - vandalism, burglary and theft.

We understand the frustration and immense disappointment in the cancellation of the assembly and Senior BBQ when this was an act of the few; however, our priorities remain resolute to ensure campus safety, the wellbeing of our students, and all of our students’ access to learning first and foremost.  Unfortunately, all of the adults who are responsible for these celebrations have been pulled in different directions today to clean up the mess, literally and figuratively.  Removing the events was not a form of punishment, it was an act of necessity with decisions needing to be made in a very quick manner.

Today we are continuing to plan and set up for our graduation ceremony and look forward to celebrating with our Seniors this Saturday.  Senior checkout and graduation rehearsal is still scheduled for tomorrow.  Our hope is that tomorrow onward we are back on track in celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2024.

Sincerely,

Principal Hicks