COTULLA, TEXAS — Cotulla Independent School District barred 20 Cotulla High School seniors from participating in graduation ceremonies scheduled for Friday, May 22, after determining the students violated expectations for student conduct during an overnight incident on May 11. The students received a three-day out-of-school suspension and were also prohibited from attending other end-of-year school-sponsored events.

According to a letter sent to parents, the incident was described as an unauthorized trespass on school property. The district contacted local law enforcement and provided details about the incident. Section 37.107 of the Texas Education Code defines criminal trespass on the grounds of a public school district as a Class C misdemeanor.

"Participation in graduation ceremonies is a privilege, not a right, and the District has a responsibility to maintain appropriate standards of conduct and accountability, particularly for activities connected to important school events," Superintendent Dr. Ramiro Nava said. He added: "At the same time, the District must reinforce that unauthorized entry, vandalism, and conduct that compromises the safety and security of school facilities will not be condoned."

In a statement, the district said it is limited in what it can share publicly because the matter involves student discipline, and that its response has been handled in accordance with applicable law, board policy, and the Student Code of Conduct. The district said it remains committed to celebrating the graduating class while ensuring school events are conducted in a safe, respectful, and appropriate manner. "Cotulla ISD recognizes the importance of graduation for students, families, staff, and the community," Nava said.

Senior Meranda Fugger said the prank consisted of turning tables and chairs upside down in the library, welding classroom, and a teacher's classroom, flipping chairs in the band hall, hanging toilet paper in the field house, writing chalk messages on sidewalks, and posting a sign reading "seniors are the best" on an outside wall. "Cotulla has been doing pranks for 40-plus years," she said. "Last year's class peed on the classroom wall and no consequences were involved."

Senior Joe Rodriguez said students attended a recent school board meeting asking trustees to reconsider the punishment. "They ignored us and moved onto a different topic," he said. "All 20 students are not allowed to walk across that stage." Rodriguez said nothing was broken or stolen during the incident, and that parents requested camera footage and the request was denied.

Community members are working to organize an alternate celebration for the seniors barred from participating in the graduation ceremony. The district said the incident involved conduct that resulted in disruption and damage to school premises.