Superintendent: 'Appropriate Action' Taken Following Underage Drinking Incidents

School officials declined to comment this week about the specific disciplinary action handed out in the wake of last weekend's semi-formal dance at Coginchaug High School, where seven students were removed for drinking alcohol prior to the school sanctioned dance.

Police said the students were found to be under the influence of alcohol at the April 6 event. 

"We always take these events seriously with student safety being our primary focus," Superintendent Susan Viccaro said in an email to Patch. "Appropriate action has been taken for students involved both on and off campus. Educating students about the importance of making good decisions remains central to our mission," she continued.

Earlier this week, Viccaro met with principal Andre Hauser and Durham First Selectmen Laura Francis to discuss the incident. Police officials were originally scheduled to attend the meeting but did not, Viccaro said.

Hauser declined to comment when asked what disciplinary action had been taken following the incident.

According to the school district's website, students found to be in violation of the district's student discipline policy face up to 10-days of in-school suspension at the discretion of the principal.

In addition to the seven students removed from the dance, eight students were arrested at Camp Farnam in Durham and charged with possession of alcohol by a minor after police found "numerous" bottles of alcohol at the location, a police report on the incident says.

One of the students was also charged with possession of marijuana.

The incidents remain under investigation by state police.