Benton Courier - Prothro wants any punishment for party misdeeds 'fair, consistent'

    Dr. Tony Prothro, superintendent of the Benton School District, said today that to his knowledge, a decision on any punishment for high school students who are suspected of engaging in underage drinking at a party Saturday night has not been made.
   “As far as I know,” Prothro said, “coaches and faculty members are still gathering information on who was at the party and who took part in any illegal activities.
   “All I told the athletic director [Scott Neathery} and the high school principal [John Dedman] was that whatever they decided, that I wanted the decision to be fair and for all students to be treated consistently, across the board.
   “They have been meeting with coaches and sponsors and still may be gathering information, so I don't know if the decision has been made on any punishments.”
   Prothro added: “I will back them up in whatever they decide.”
   Saline County sheriff's deputies responded to a call on excessive noise at a house on Salt Creek Road around 9 Saturday night, according to a sheriff's report, and discovered a party of teenagers unsupervised by adults at which underage drinking was taking place.     From 80 to 100 teenagers were in attendance, Sheriff Phil Mask said, but some left quickly as the first deputy arrived.
   Deputies tested about 50 people age 15-17 for blood alcohol content with portable equipment. The deputies then took about 20 teens (who tested positive for alcohol) to the Saline County jail, where they were kept until their parents came to get them.
   Prothro said the situation on punishment is a difficult one to determine because the incident occurred off campus and was not during school time.
   “It is regrettable that this incident happened,” he said, “and our concern is with the students and the danger in which they may have placed their lives.
   “But it is a problem that we try to deal with because underage drinking is a serious matter. We take it very seriously.
   “We present a program called 'Every 15 Minutes' each year that demonstrates what can happen to teenagers who drink. It is something that we are very aware of and want students to be concerned with.
   Prothro said that as far as any punishment goes, any actions the coaches take “will be taken with the best interests of the students in mind.”
   Benton football coach Marc Jones has said that he is not certain yet whether any players will be disciplined prior to Friday night's Salt Bowl football game against county rival Bryant at Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium.

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