Eight Oxford High School students, four of whom are varsity football players, are being disciplined by the district after it was discovered they had allegedly consumed alcohol and marijuana prior to attending the homecoming dance on Saturday, Oct. 3.
According to OHS Principal Todd Dunckley, there were two unrelated incidents at the dance.
‘Four of (the students) were males and four of them were females and some of them were athletes,? Dunckley told this reporter. ‘All received consequences in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and the Athletic Code of Conduct.?
Dunckley declined to comment regarding the number of athletes involved, which sports they play and whether drugs, alcohol or both were allegedly used.
‘I can’t tell you that,? he said.
Dunckley said some of the students were identified upon entering the dance, while ‘others were found out through further investigation.?
Through a source close to the incident, the Leader learned the four female students had allegedly consumed alcohol.
An Oakland County Sheriff’s report revealed the four male students, who the Leader determined are all members of the varsity football team, had allegedly smoked marijuana.
According to the report, an OHS security guard was advised a student ‘smelled like marijuana.?
The security guard made contact with the student, who admitted to smoking marijuana, along with three other male students, the report stated. Two of the other boys also admitted to smoking marijuana, but the fourth boy had left the school prior to the security guard’s involvement, the report stated.
According to the report, one student told the guard the marijuana was in his vehicle. It was found in a backpack, which one of the boys said belonged to the student who had already left the dance, the report stated. The suspected marijuana was found in a baggie in a glass jar along with eye drops, a lighter and a blue pipe.
All of the evidence was turned over to the sheriff’s office. The case remains open pending further investigation.
In both incidents, Dunckley said all the involved students who were still at the dance were removed and turned over to their parents.
‘I’m always disappointed, but not surprised (when this type of thing happens),? Dunckley said. ‘We (will) continue on in a caring fashion and help discipline (them) in a caring fashion.?
Superintendent Tim Throne described it as one of the ‘hard lessons? that kids sometime have to learn, but he’s hopeful ‘it will be a growing point for them going forward.?
‘As a father, I wouldn’t wish this lesson on my own kids or any kid, but the law is the law and we have to uphold it,? he said. ‘As a superintendent, I want to make sure we’re not only abiding by the law, but (providing) a conducive environment for kids to learn. That’s why we have our policies and codes of conduct in place.?