By ROBERT L. LEE

LUTCHER – Results of the investigation into the St. James Junior High School fighting incident on May 14 were released this week to the St. James Parish School Board.

Administrative Director Gaynell Albert issued the results in a statement, organized along a timeline of events and findings, beginning with the initial report, and leading to the expulsion of 12 students. According to the initial report, 27 students were involved in the incident and taken to the St. James Parish Court House. Of the 27 students, one was considered an adult because of age and charged accordingly. The remaining 26 students were charged with disturbing the peace and inciting a riot. After being charged by the juvenile division, the students were released into their parents’ custody.

On the following day, May 15, Albert visited St. James Junior High and Principal John Brass to initiate an investigation. Albert said after speaking to Brass, “It was conveyed that the matter was being handled and investigated. There were no definitive names given as to who was involved, but he was still pursuing an investigation into the matter.”

On May 17, School Board Superintendent Dr. P. Edward Cancienne joined Albert for another visit to the school, to speak with Brass concerning the incident. Albert said Brass assured them he had followed procedures and the incident was under control. He also listed seven names of students who would be given superintendent’s hearings. However, when Brass was asked if the list was balanced between Fifth Ward and Sixth Ward students, there was no reply, according to Albert.

On the same day, Albert was also given a copy of the police report, naming 26 students who had been taken to the sheriff’s office.

“On Monday, I approached Mr. Brass again concerning the number of students involved and asked for an explanation in the difference in the number of students being processed for fighting and the number of students on the sheriff’s list,” Albert said. “By this time, his list had doubled to 14 students. According to Mr. Brass, after investigation, the other students were not involved.”

Superintendents hearings were scheduled for May 22 for 14 students. After Albert’s investigation, two students were dismissed of any charges. The remaining 12 were expelled for the rest of the school year. Brass has the option to impose some type of probationary period for these students at the beginning of the 2002-03 school year because the incident came so close to the end of the 2001-02 school year.