VENTURA : Students Sign Accord for Trashing Campus

With police officers and their principal looking on, 22 St. Bonaventure High School students who trashed their campus have signed an agreement that will cost them time and money but spare them a court appearance.

The boys caused about $5,000 in damage to the Ventura campus the night of June 6 in what they called a senior prank that went too far. They ransacked an unlocked classroom, broke dozens of eggs, poured glue in several door locks and generally made a mess.

A passing patrol car noticed toilet paper flying and trash cans being tossed onto roofs. Numerous units were called and police managed to round up 15fleeing teen-agers. All 15 were arrested, and another seven were identified as participants. Most of the students involved were seniors who graduated June 3.

The students and their parents met with police Monday night and signed the agreement, which requires each to pay $200 and perform 20 hours of community service. In return, Ventura police said they will ask the district attorney not to file criminal charges against the boys.

“We came to an understanding,” said Brother Paul Horkan, the school’s principal.

But several parents, including Jim Stiffler, called the agreement blackmail. If the students did not sign it, Horkan threatened to refuse to release the students’ academic records to colleges and universities. Most of the boys involved have been accepted to four-year universities. Matt Stiffler, 18, plans to attend St. Bonaventure University in New York.

“I think the deal stinks,” the elder Stiffler said, noting that his son reluctantly signed the agreement.