[momoftwo]

This was in today's Chicago Tribune. It appears that the federal court believes the school does have the authority to take action. (This was the girl who appeared on Good Morning America who did not understand what it meant to be remorseful.)

Glenbrook hazing plaintiff loses in court
By Matt O’Connor
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 29, 2003, 1:08 PM CDT

Advising the plaintiff should just get on with her life, a federal judge today denied a request by a Glenbrook North High School student that the court block her expulsion over a recent hazing.

"We all make mistakes. Kids do stupid things. The sooner you can get over that, the better," U.S. District Chief Judge Charles Kocoras said.

Kocoras denied a request for a temporary restraining order in the suit by Liat Gendelman, one of 31 seniors recently suspended and expelled by Northfield Township High School District 225.

After court, Gendelman's attorney, Dolores Ayala, said she and her client would "respect Judge Kocoras' opinion." Ayala indicated Gendelman would withdraw her suit and sign an agreement with the school district accepting her punishment in exchange for receiving her diploma.

Under the agreement, the student's grades would be frozen as they were before her suspension, and she would undergo three hours of counseling and perform 10 hours of community service, officials said.

Ayala said another Glenbrook North senior she was representing, Taylor Wessel, last week signed a similar agreement with the school district.

Previously, Ayala had argued her clients had been suspended without due process, and that Glenbrook North officials did not have the authority to discipline them for an activity not sponsored by or held at the school.

A total of 31 seniors have been expelled because of their role in the May 4 hazing, which sent five junior girls to the hospital. Senior girls were caught on videotape punching, kicking and dumping filth on the juniors.

Also, 20 juniors face 10-day suspensions unless they sign waivers agreeing to counseling and not attempting to gain commercially from their experience. Five seniors went to court to contest their punishments. To date, all have been unsuccessful in their attempts to obtain restraining orders blocking their suspensions and expulsions.

Additionally, Cook County prosecutors last week charged 16 seniors and two parents for their alleged roles in the hazing.
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press