Citizens don’t dig ditchers

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

and Karen Zekan

Clark County School District officials say hundreds of students could face punishment ranging from parent conferences to suspension for participating in "Senior Ditch Day."

Metro Police say as many as 400 youths were involved in "reckless driving" in the Rio hotel-casino parking area on Tuesday.

Metro was also called to assist Bureau of Land Management rangers in breaking up a disturbance at the Red Rock Recreation Area scenic loop exit. Metro Sgt. Joe Gemma said 200 youths were involved "in a large fight."

Gemma said when Metro units arrived, the fight had broken up. No citations were issued.

BLM spokeswoman Michelle Barrett, however, said the group was more like 25 juveniles in three vehicles. "Some appeared to be intoxicated, one was unconscious and one was ill," Barrett said.

Norma O'Neal, senior attendance officer for the school district, said in addition to a complaint from the Rio, calls were received from New York-New York, Skyline Restaurant & Casino and Macy's at the Fashion Show Mall.

Even though it is not condoned by the school district, Senior Ditch Day is traditionally designated by high school students across the nation as a day to skip school and party. In many areas, the day chosen immediately follows the last day for teachers to report grades for the first semester of school.

"Officially there is no Senior Ditch Day," said Ray Willis, spokesman for the school district. "The school district does not sanction students not being in school when school is in session."

Punishment for students caught skipping school on Tuesday could range from a parent conference to suspension, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis, according to Len Paul, assistant superintendent for secondary education.

Paul said punishment will depend on such things as whether drugs or alcohol were involved and whether or not students are members of athletic teams or other school groups.

Despite the district's official policy that Senior Ditch Day does not exist, some teachers abandoned their lesson plans for the day because of poor attendance, and others gave extra credit to students who did show up.