Teen-Ager Expelled Over Fire ‘Prank’

One of two Agoura High School students who sheriff’s deputies say set fire to another student has been expelled, according to the school district’s top official.

The decision was made last week at a special meeting by the Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education, said Supt. Albert Marley.

“The kind of behavior that we had is totally unacceptable and unlawful and will not be tolerated,” Marley said.

The board postponed disciplinary action for 30 days for the other youth, at the youth’s request, Marley said. The student had the legal right to request the delay.

The two youths, ages 16 and 17, set Benjamin Goldhammer on fire Nov. 16 as he stood in a lunch line in the school’s cafeteria, according to Lt. Jim Glazar of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The youths were standing behind the victim when one of them held out a cigarette lighter and ignited his shirt, authorities said.

School officials said at the time that they had heard there was a history of animosity between Benjamin and one of the boys.

The students called the action a “prank that got out of control,” Marley said, but “the board simply felt that under California law this is certainly justification for expulsion. Sometimes motive or intent is irrelevant; another person was badly injured.”

The 15-year-old youth, who suffered second-degree burns to his back and buttocks, was still recovering at home, Marley said.

“His dressings are still required to be changed a few times a day,” Marley said. “It was obviously a severe burn.” The school district has provided a home tutor for the student, he said.

The expulsion will last at least until the end of the school year, Marley said. The expelled student, a junior at the high school, has the right to petition for readmittance next fall.

Bill Ryder, deputy in charge of the Sylmar district attorney’s office, said that the case is being reviewed and that charges may be filed against the youths.