I see both points.

Educators Point: Kids were not allowed to be in the building at that time and trespassed. They did not follow the rules and should have consequences for that. If they "budge" and let the kids slide they leave themselves open to more pranks and some kids might go too far. They dont want to look like push overs

Kids Point: They are expressing themselves and did not cause any permanent damage to the building. There are many worse things they could be doing then putting up sticky notes. It wasn't done out of malice, it was for fun. Has anyone heard of the whole senior prank thing most schools do? They were following a time honored tradition.

My thoughts:
* It has been taken too far by both parties.
* The kids who put up the post it notes should clean them up and maybe help the janitor clean the school for a day.
*The kids who protested should be left alone.
*The parents need to back off and stop gunning for the principal and the super intendant to be fired. That is someones career, they probably have worked their butts off to be in those positions. Do you really think one unpopular decision is worth firing someone? It is going to impact their whole life, their families and their reputation.

Just my 2 cents

Educators Point: Kids were not allowed to be in the building at that time and trespassed. They did not follow the rules and should have consequences for that. If they "budge" and let the kids slide they leave themselves open to more pranks and some kids might go too far. They dont want to look like push overs

If an adult (janitor or otherwise) gave them access to the school, is it still 'trespassing' since they were technically given some form of permission to be there?

Good Point. Wasn't thinking when I wrote that.

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-senior-prank-protest-students-hold-sitin-at-school-gym-after-6-suspended-for-senior-prank-20120516,0,4062804.column

Many people here are discussing a "harmless" senior prank that recently took place here in Indiana. 6 students were suspended, and one janitor fired after seniors covered the school in post-it notes. The students claim they were under adult supervision, a janitor was present and a school board member gave them a key to get in after hours. The principal suspended the students for trespassing. As a result, dozens of parents and students participated in a sit-in at the school. As of today, 66 students have been suspended. Some parents feel it was JUSTIFIED.

The makers of Post-it, 3M are apparently reaching out to the suspended students and offering scholarships.

My only thoughts, that principal is an *kitten* and must have no joy in his life.

Actually that also happened here in Idaho. I can speak to this. Where I live, not only did they paper the hallway WITHOUT supervision and without the janitor present, but also there was cooking oil poured down the steps of one of the stairs. They were made to help clean up, but it still cost several thousands of dollars in labor to complete the clean-up. The staff member that provided the key was not a teacher, and was dismissed from her position. The students were warned several times for the weeks prior to the prank that anyone caught trespassing on school grounds would be doing so without the school's permisison and would be appropriately punished.

**edited because I didn't realize that the post-it note thing happened in another state too**

If an adult (janitor or otherwise) gave them access to the school, is it still 'trespassing' since they were technically given some form of permission to be there?

It is not. Therein lies the problem. The school official who let them in should be punished; not the students.

But after the school board meeting they have to decided to drop everything. Reinstated the janitor who was present, as well as the students who received suspensions. Apparently the kids DID have permission.

I also question what is "tresspassing" on a public school property? When I was in school, there were MANY times students would be using facilities until as late as 10 PM or as early as 5:45 AM with no staff present. Maybe just volunteer coaches. I had a football coach keep me and another team manager until 11pm on school property to wash practice jerseys for the next morning. He wasn't staff yet we were allowed to be on the property..

Then, at your school, tresspassing was between 10:01pm and 5:44am.

My home is open to all my friends most of the time. But, if I am having a party and 100 people are there and a person shows up uninvited, he's trespassing.