Expelled Students Enrolling Elsewhere

Six high school students who faced expulsion over a football game brawl began enrolling in alternative schools Thursday as the Rev. Jesse Jackson continued to press for their return to regular classes.

Jackson led five of the students and their mothers into the Macon/Piatt Regional Office of Education for a closed-door orientation session. They were later joined by a sixth student and his mother.

Five of the students were expelled for two years and another withdrew from school after the Sept. 17 brawl. Another student who was expelled has moved out of state. Three face criminal charges.

Under pressure from Jackson and at the suggestion of Gov. George Ryan, the district agreed to cut the expulsions to one year and allow the students to enroll in alternative school immediately.

Jackson wants the students eligible for reinstatement to regular schools as early as January if they do well in the alternative schools. The school board has refused.

During the last two weeks, Jackson has led marches, prayer vigils and rallies and was even arrested during a school confrontation.