Watch CBS News

Tennessee senior prank gets principal suspended

Seniors at Sequoyah High School in Tennesse let possums and crickets loose in the halls as part of their senior prank
Students let possums loose as part of senior prank 00:51

MADISONVILLE, Tenn. - Officials say a senior "prank" at an East Tennessee high school that left the floors littered with trash, hay, urine and dead animals took things too far.

Monroe County Director of Schools Tim Blankenship told media outlets that the incident last week at Sequoyah High School amounted to mass vandalism and that the students involved won't be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. In addition, Blankenship suspended the school's principal, and a school resource officer was fired.

madisonville prank
The hallways of Sequoyah High School in Madisonville, Tenn.,after a senior prank. WTVF-TV

More than 100 graduating seniors will not walk across the graduation stage, reports CBS affiliate WVLT-TV in Knoxville.

Blakenship said Principal Gary Cole would remain suspended without pay pending the results of an investigation

Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones Jr. said Deputy James Fisher was fired for lying about his involvement. He said video surveillance shows Fisher letting students into the school, leaving and returning later.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.