[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread]
List: isn
Subject: [ISN] Alleged computer hackers fight expulsion
From: InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews ! org>
Date: 2006-11-24 6:32:50
Message-ID: Pine.LNX.4.61.0611240032380.2458 () conundrum ! infosecnews ! org
[Download RAW message or body]
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/local/ci_4704172
By BROCK PARKER
The York Dispatch
11/22/2006
The Central York School District expelled two high school students last
night after they allegedly hacked into the district's computer system in
October.
But parents of the two Central York High School students, Adam Tran, 16,
of York and Brandon Diehl, 15, of York, are fighting the expulsions,
saying the punishments the school district is doling out are too harsh.
On behalf of their respective sons, Jill Diehl of Springettsbury
Township and Maryann Tran of Manchester Township filed separate appeals
against the Central York School Board in the York County Court of Common
Pleas yesterday, claiming the school district is violating the
constitutional rights of the students by refusing to let them return to
school.
Central York school officials first suspended Adam Tran and Brandon
Diehl on Oct. 18, after the two students allegedly used their computer
skills to breach the school district's computer system on Oct. 17, court
documents stated.
Court records did not elaborate on how the two high school sophomores
hacked into the computer system. But Central York High School Principal
Jay Butterfield sent letters to Diehl's and Tran's parents last month
saying the actions of the two students "caused a disruption in services
and considerable time in investigation, research and resolution of the
security issues," according to court records.
Vote to expel: After a disciplinary hearing for the students Nov. 1, the
Central York School Board voted last night to expel the two students,
said School Board President Eric Wolfgang. Wolfgang said he was "not at
liberty" to discuss details of the case because it involves disciplinary
proceedings of two students.
The school district's attorney was unavailable for comment this morning.
But in anticipation of the school board's vote last night, Jill Diehl
and Maryann Tran each filed an appeal yesterday afternoon asking the
court to declare the expulsions invalid.
In the appeals, Daniel Fennick, the attorney for Diehl and Tran, stated
that under rules established by the school district, Brandon Diehl and
Adam Tran should only have been punished with short suspensions.
The appeals describe Tran as an honor roll student with no disciplinary
record and Diehl as an "above average" student with only a few minor
disciplinary problems on his record. The appeals also state that the
"harm" done by Tran and Diehl to the district's computer system was
fixed in "about 10 minutes" by the district's technical team.
According to the appeals, Central York School District rules state that
inappropriate uses of district computers are punishable by a five-day
suspension for the first offense and a 10-day suspension for the second
offense.
Not charged with crime: Tran's and Diehl's appeals claim that the school
district suspended and then expelled them because the school board
determined that the students violated state and federal laws when they
allegedly hacked into the district's computer system.
But in their appeals, Tran and Diehl claim the school board does not
have the ability to determine if the two students violated any state or
federal laws, because neither student has been charged with a crime. As
a result, the appeals are asking the court to overturn Tran's and
Diehl's expulsions.
--Reach Brock Parker at 717-505-5434 or at bparker(at)yorkdispatch.com.
_____________________________
Subscribe to InfoSec News
http://www.infosecnews.org/mailman/listinfo/isn
[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread]
Configure |
About |
News |
Add a list |
Sponsored by KoreLogic