Longwood 'disturbance' leads to suspension, student says

A Longwood High School senior says he is facing a five-day suspension for what school officials have termed a "disturbance" during a senior prank Thursday.

David Edmond, 18, a senior from Middle Island, said he was participating in the prank at the high school, in which seniors were running around and playing tag. He said he was restrained by a security guard in a school hallway and then was taken to the high school office. He was told he faced a five-day suspension and would not be able to attend graduation or the prom next week.

He said that the punishment was unfair and that he was a victim. The security guard strongly restrained him, so much so he felt he could not breathe, Edmond said, and a teacher had to intervene.

Edmond said he will have a hearing with school officials sometime in the next week.

Longwood school district officials released a brief statement saying: "A few Longwood students took a senior prank too far this morning. Several seniors at Longwood High School decided to participate in a senior prank and leave campus. Longwood has a closed campus policy and students were urged not to leave the building by security and administration. A disturbance ensued after students were insubordinate and uncooperative."

Suffolk County police said it has no record or call from the high school Thursday.

By Joie Tyrrell

joie.tyrrell@newsday.com@JoieTyrrell

Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.