Garfield High students appeal hazing suspensions

Nine of 11 Garfield High School students emergency expelled for their role in a widespread hazing incident involving about 100 students are appealing their suspensions, according to the Seattle School District.

The students were temporarily banned from school after the September 27 incident at the Washington Park Arboretum.

After conducting an investigation, the district suspended six students for between five and nine days. One student was suspended for 15 days, two others for 20 days. Two students originally identified as participants and given the emergency exclusion as well, have been exonerated, according to SPS spokesperson Teresa Whipple.

In addition to the suspensions, the students are also barred from school dances, including senior prom and the spring Purple and White Day dance.

The students can appeal to an independent disciplinary hearing officer, and then a disciplinary panel made up of a teacher, parent, and district official.

“Once they’ve exhausted all those appeals, their last recourse would be to make an appeal to King County Superior Court,” said Whipple. But as you can tell, it’s going to be a while before we get through the appeals because it’s a lengthy process.”

The district is also developing “new strategies” to reduce or eliminate hazing at Garfield.

“We’re looking at working with some experts from the University of Washington or Seattle University to try to figure out how to really interrupt what has become a tradition,” she said.