Official: Seniors 'prank' school using trash, urine, animals

MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — 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.

Garbage cans were dumped and scattered, urine, ketchup and baby oil was put on the walls. Crickets and chickens were released into the hallways.

According to Local8Now.com, boobytraps were even set in doorways, causing teachers to slip.

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.

About 100 students were involved, Knoxnews.com reports, and half of the class was banned from graduation.