Kalispell Public Schools trustees are expected to decide tomorrow whether or not students who participated in a break-in and vandalism at Flathead High School on May 10 will get to attend their graduation ceremony.

Authorities have identified 21 students, all over age 18, who took part in a senior prank that allegedly started as a plan to leave cups full of water in a hallway and escalated into vandalism.

Administrators have recommended to the board of trustees that students who participated in the May 10 incident be barred from going through the June 3 graduation ceremonies.

Parents of students involved in the incident received letters last week from Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau saying that they and their children had an opportunity to go before the school board and make their case.

“You have the right to attend the meeting and will be given a specific time to address the board unless you waive this right,” the letter to one family reads. “The purpose of the meeting will be for the board to make a determination as to whether your son was involved in the incident that led to the recommendation for denial of participation in the graduation ceremony; and to make a determination as to whether denial of participation in the graduation ceremony is appropriate.”

One parent confirmed that her son received a four-day suspension and was told he cannot walk in the graduation ceremony.

School officials have not released details into what punishments were handed out for the incident.

“With all matters regarding student discipline, we follow state and federal law and will place the student appropriately according to the law and district policies and procedures,” Flatau said in an email. “Appropriate consequences have been assigned by building administration to all who participated in the incident.”

School Resource Officer Cory Clarke of the Kalispell Police Department has said that one or two of the group caused the bulk of the damage that included a broken moose sculpture, water fountains ripped from the walls, a broken window and sawdust strewn throughout the building. The damage is estimated to be in the thousands of dollars.

Clarke intends to pass along a full report to county and city officials for possible misdemeanor and felony charges. Ultimately those decisions rest with prosecutors.

Tonight’s school board meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Kalispell Middle School Library.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.