Marty Graham, chair of the Athena-Weston School Board, listens as parents express their displeasure Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, at the board’s meeting at the Athena Elementary School library. The school district in September removed four students from the Weston-McEwen football team after an investigation into hazing allegations.

ATHENA — The Athena-Weston School District in September removed four students from the Weston-McEwen High School football team after a superintendent-led investigation into hazing allegations.

Around 40 people gathered Monday, Oct. 9, in the Athena Elementary School library to hear the district school board’s decision regarding parent complaints about the investigation. Six audience members spoke in support of the students the district removed.

The board heard the public comments and met in a close-door executive session to discuss attorney client privilege. Following that, the board met in public and voted unanimously to deny the appeals, upholding Superintendent Ann Vescio’s decision and not pursuing its own investigation into her process.

The meeting and decision come after weeks of community tension and unclear information leading to rumors about the hazing.

Weston-McEwen football coach Kenzie Hansell said Oct. 10 that all comments had to go through the school administration.

During the meeting, one audience member, Travis Stroe, said he was frustrated by how the situation has been handled from the beginning. Although his student was not one of the accused, he said the incident affected the whole team.

During the public comment period, Stroe mentioned he did not receive information from the school, asking the board why nothing was sent out. Later, some audience and board members indicated they had received a letter sent to their homes about the situation.

The audience became more tense throughout the meeting. Audience members had been relatively calm during the public commenting period. After the decision was announced, the board began to move on.

Then, as if it had taken a few moments for the news to sink in, the commotion began. People were pointing and shouting at the board and talked over one another.

Parents accused board members of not caring about the students or the public’s opinion. The board did not stop them from speaking despite the outcry occurring far after the public commenting period.

Board members and parents alike declined to speak after the meeting concluded. Many indicated they needed time to calm down after the intensity.

The basic facts are: Vescio suspended four boys from the football team after a purported hazing incident that occurred at an away game earlier this season.

The East Oregonian sent a number of questions to Vescio regarding the incident.

In response, she sent the following statement: “The District cannot comment regarding any ongoing investigations or share any confidential student information. The Athena-Weston School District is committed to the safety and learning of all students. Any concerns that affect the well-being of students are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and responded to appropriately. There is no place in the district’s learning environments or extracurricular programs for acts of hazing or harassment.”

Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office’s Capt. Sterrin Ward said the sheriff’s office received a report Sept. 11 from Weston-McEwen High School of hazing. The matter occurred in Eugene, she said, which is the primary agency investigating the report, with the sheriff’s office assisting.

She said because this investigation involves juveniles, the sheriff’s office would not release more information. She also cautioned against subscribing to rumors in this case.