The school board will meet Tuesday to determine whether or not to continue the suspension of four students who were caught cheating on a research paper.

“All four broke the honor code of the English class by doing this,” English department chair Clara Barton said. “I think their punishment is equitable for what they did.”

School rules have outlined the punishment procedures to those who buy research papers which include a seven day suspension from school. During those seven days, the students have an opportunity to rewrite their paper for a maximum grade of a 70.

“For years we have made students sign agreements saying they would not buy ‘canned’ research papers,” Barton said. “It is written in the agreement that if they are caught buying one they will be punished, and the punishment is explained in the agreement.”

By signing the agreement, the student’s agreed to spend 30 hours doing research and writing the paper; not to copy another student’s papers, and to use three different sources of information. The agreement also outlined the punishments for breaking the rules.

“The agreement we sign is like everything else in school,” senior Sandy Peoples said. They stick it under our noses, and we sign it without really reading it. I guess kids will start reading what they sign from now on.”

Parents of three of the four students involved in the cheating incident have filed lawsuits. The rules say that during the suspension, the students will not be able to make up work for other classes, and the parents claim that the punishment is a violation of their right to a full education.

“I admit, I was one of the people who bought a research paper,” senior William Jefferson said. “ It was one of those things, though, that I had to do.”

Jefferson works 30 hours every week. He is also in advanced calculus, one act play, and is preparing for the state Lincoln-Douglas debate tournament.

“According to our lawyers, the parents’ lawyers really don’t have much of a case, especially since the students signed an agreement outlining the different actions that would result if the students were caught cheating” Aleman said.

The school board will vote on Junior Jim Stack’s second request for permission to grow his hair out for charity on Monday at 7 p.m. Principal Tonya King initially denied his proposal because it would violate school dress code.

“I hope the board approves my request.”, Stack said. “Donating my hair to Locks of Love is a very special project to me”.

After his request for permission was denied by King, Stack wrote a letter to the school board to see if they will make an exception to the dress code.

“I can’t bend the rules for one student.”, Principal King said. “There are other ways Jim could help the Locks of Love group. I would be more than willing to help with a fundraiser”.

The school dress code states that male student’s hair must not be longer than collar-length, but Locks of Love requires at least 10 inches of hair for donations.

“Mrs. King just said I should have a fundraiser instead.”, Stack said. “But I’m told a lot of people donate money. Not very many donate hair.”

Every month, Locks of Love receives about 200 request from families, and they end up having to turn down about 150 of them because of their lack of human hair.

“I was moved by Jim’s passion to donate his hair.”, the president of Locks of Love, Gisel Roco, said. “We desperately need human hair for our wigs.”

The Locks of Love group works entirely on donations, and they only use real human hair for their wigs.

“I am proud of Jim.”, his mother Holly Stack said. “He wants to help this group, and that means a lot to our family.”

Stack’s sister is his inspiration for donating his hair. His sister, Jasmine, received a wig from Locks of Love. Two months ago, Jasmine received a clean bill of health.

“I think it’s cool that Jim wants to do this.” Gilbert Castillo, president of the student council, said. “I don’t see what the big deal is anyway. Girls have long hair, and no one is distracted. Rules were made to be broken, and this is a very good reason to break one.”

The Student Council wrote a letter to the school board in support of Stack. The letter was signed by 350 students. Attached to the letter, the council listed 150 students who were also willing to grow out their hair and donate it.

“I can’t comment on this issue right now.”, said Bill Valdez, school board president, said. “We will discuss it at the board meeting next week”.