La Salle-Peru High School to transfer two students to Safe School Program following Sept 17 altercation

The La Salle-Peru High School Board unanimously voted to approve the transfer of two students to the La Salle County Regional Office of Education’s Safe School Program instead of expulsion following their involvement in an altercation Sept. 17.

This transfer would be effective until the end of the 2021-22 school year with the cooperation of the parents and their completion of the program. Both students may then be eligible for a return to La Salle-Peru High School at the start of the 2022-23 school year.

If the parents do not cooperate with the transfer or the student does not complete the program and the student is returned to LPHS prior to the end of the 2021-22 school year, then the student will be expelled from Oct. 7, 2021, through the end of the school year.

The two students were reported to have been involved in a physical altercation that endangered students, staff and a visitor, being a mother and an infant.

One of the students was accused of shoving a staff member, use of vulgar language to staff and students and gross insubordinate behavior to staff.

During the 2021-22 school year the student has had eight disciplinary referrals including a 10-day out of school suspension. In 2020-21 the student had three disciplinary referrals with no suspensions.

The other student was accused of throwing a shoe, use of vulgar language to staff and students and gross insubordinate behavior to staff.

During the 2021-22 school year the student had been given nine disciplinary referrals including a 10-day out of school suspension. In 2020-21 the student had four disciplinary referrals with no suspensions.

The board found the students’ behavior indicates they pose a threat to the safety of other students, staff and members of the district community.