
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 12, 1991                   TAG: 9104120482
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JUSTINE ELIAS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SNOWVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

STUDENT APPEALS SUSPENSION IN SEX ALLEGATION

Pulaski school officials would not comment Thursday night on allegations of sexual misconduct by students at Pulaski County High School, but seven high school boys suspended two weeks ago plan to appeal their punishment before the School Board Monday.

Superintendent William Asbury said "an unfortunate incident of sexual misconduct" involving seven high school boys and one middle school girl occurred two weeks ago in a high school bathroom.

Six boys were suspended through the end of the year. A seventh was suspended for 10 days.

School officials heard that student's appeal of his suspension at a closed session Thursday after their meeting at Snowville Elementary School. The board had not reached a decision as of press time.

The remaining six are to appeal their suspensions Monday.

Jeff Berkley, the parent of two middle school children, told 50 people at the tense School Board meeting that he had heard rumors of "gang sex in bathrooms, oral sex in the stands during sock hops," and other severe discipline problems at the high school.

Berkley left the meeting and would not comment further. Board members did not comment, either.

by CNB