Angry Chinook fans say school wronged athlete
Wednesday, October 12, 2005 8:42 AM PDT
By Leslie Slape
Printable version
E-mail this articleKALAMA -- About 40 Kalama High School students and adults jammed superintendent Jim Sutton's office Monday night hoping to air their feelings about what they say is the unfair suspension of a student-athlete.
District officials suspended Dustin Thomas from the football team for allegedly attending an underage drinking party. His mother and attorney say he wasn't at the party, but friends had asked him to pick them up.
Board member Bruce Raiter asked the crowd to return at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 for the next regularly scheduled school board meeting in the Kalama High School library.
The people agreed to wait, but they clearly were passionate about the issue.
"They shouldn't suspend someone for doing a good deed," said student Kyle Merwin.
The school board had scheduled four private hearings regarding the suspension of Thomas, a senior, and said there would be no time for public comment Monday night.
Dustin's mother, Beth Thomas, was cheered by the community support for her son.
"It's great for the kids on the team and other kids," she said. "They can see, 'If I do something right, I have this whole town to support me.' "
Dustin Thomas, a football co-captain who plays defensive back and wide receiver, has been suspended from the team for 20 days. School policy forbids students from attending or remaining at events where alcohol is served. At issue is whether Thomas attended a party where underage drinking was going on.
Thomas told a reporter Monday that he dropped someone off at the Sept. 23 party, which took place at a fellow student's house. He said he returned when someone else called him requesting a ride and talked for a few minutes to a person outside the house.
He said he never entered the house, and witnesses told his attorney that no alcohol was present by the time he arrived.
The school board investigated the matter the week after the party, said Jamie Imboden, attorney for Thomas and his family. He said the suspension took effect Oct. 3 and is continuing during Thomas' appeal.
Imboden said Tuesday that the school board listened privately to Thomas, his attorney and others Monday night and said they will reconsider the matter and make a decision within 10 working days.
Kalama School District Superintendent Jim Sutton declined to comment Tuesday on the suspension.
Imboden said that two other football players who were inside the house have also been suspended for 20 days. He said in Thomas' case, the punishment does not fit the crime.
"Dusty is one of many who got in trouble, but his circumstances are different," Imboden said. "He's a real good kid who's never been in trouble before."
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