Schools

UPDATE: Undisclosed Number of Century Middle School Students Suspended

Lakeville school district officials acknowledge that an undisclosed number of Century Middle School students have been suspended for digitally disseminating an inappropriate photo of a fellow student.

4:55 p.m. update

Lakeville Patch was originally told by the Lakeville Area Public School District that students had been suspended and expelled, but the district's Director of Administrative Services Tony Massaros recently told Patch that no students have been expelled, and the original statement was innacurate.

The older version of the story has been updated.

Find out what's happening in Lakevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Original story from 3:29 p.m.

An unidentified number of students have been suspended due to a May 22 incident in which an inappropriate photo was digitally disseminated around the school's student community.

Find out what's happening in Lakevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

officials have acknowledged the incident and also said the and Dakota County Attorneys Office are investigating the matter.

Linda Swanson, the communication coordinator for the district, confirmed to Lakeville Patch that disciplinary actions included suspensions, but declined to say how many students were involved due to the matter being under investigation by law enforecement.

The incident generated a number of Facebook and Twitter posts on May 22 and 23, suggesting there were as many as 50 students suspended, but Swanson did say the total number of students involved was not that high.

Swanson said Century Principal Catherine Gillach has sent a message to parents about the incident, and that she acted swiftly and appropriately.

A statement issued to Lakeville Patch by Swanson reads as follows:

On Monday, May 22, the Century Middle School administration became aware of a possible student violation of another student's privacy using electronic means.

Working with the District Office and local law enforcement, building administrators took immediate action to investigate the matter. Appropriate actions were then taken to address this situation. The Lakeville Area Public Schools will continue to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.

Please understand that we are very limited in what we can communicate as a result of legal requirements and concern for the adolescent students involved.

will have more on the story as it develops.


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