East Hampton Senior Prank Night 'Went Too Far': Superintendent

EAST HAMPTON, NY - It was a Senior Prank Night gone wild.

In a letter to the public, East Hampton School Superintendent RIchard Burns discussed last week's Senior Prank Night, which was far different than in prior years.

He said in the past, the annual Senior Prank Night always occurred with adult supervision.

"It significantly differed this year," he wrote. "This year, seniors chose not to inform the staff to help monitor the Senior Prank Night," which was held on Wednesday, May 25. " Unfortunately, their prank went too far," he said.

School administrators and police investigated the incident on Thursday and Friday, Burns said.

"After a thorough and deliberate review of the facts, it was determined that the most serious transgression was that some seniors entered a building without permission through a locked door. Damage to school property was at a minimum," he said.

School was ready for students and opened on time because of the help of staff volunteers, Burns said.

"Many of the acts reported on social media were misrepresented by those not present," the superintendent added.

During the investigation and meetings held by the school's administrative team on Thursday and Friday, and a special meeting of the Board of Education held on Friday, "all parties expressed their deep disappointment in the actions of these seniors. It was especially disheartening to the high school administrative team who value each and every senior, and who put so much good will, care and time into communicating with them," Burns said.

The high school administration met with the entire senior class on Tuesday morning, he said.

"The students who were involved in the incident then reported to the library for further discussion. The specifics of this case were addressed," Burns said.

The administrators shared their deliberations and disappointments with students "and felt confident that the seniors involved in the prank night now know the severity of their actions and their serious lack of judgement. The students know their actions have ruptured the trust with members of the Board of Education, the high school administration, faculty, staff, and the larger school community," Burns said.

At the close of the meeting, the students who were part of the prank learned they lost the privilege of attending the Senior Banquet, he added.