JEFFERSON TWP — South Butler School District Superintendent David Zupsic on Thursday defended board members’ decision to expel three students Wednesday night, saying the action was intended to help, not punish them.

“I think the board made its decision based on finding help and support for the students based on what had occurred,” he said. “They weren’t really trying to punish the students. They were trying to put them in a situation where they would be able to find help.

Board members voted Wednesday night to expel the three students from the district for the 2016-17 year, Zupsic said, though they will be eligible to apply for readmittance at the end of the first semester.

Zupsic said the expulsions came after an incident at the district on June 10, the last day of school for the 2015-16 year. On that day, he said, a backpack containing drug paraphernalia was left in a parking lot at the school. School police identified the bag’s owner, Zupsic said, and the investigation subsequently found that a total of three students had “got into situations where they violated the drug and alcohol policy,” of the district.

Zupsic said the investigation into the students’ violations was “based around marijuana use,” which occurred off school property, and that the paraphernalia had subsequently be brought onto school property in the bag left in the parking lot.

Zupsic declined to say which grade level the expelled students were in, and said the district doesn’t have any appeals process in place where the board’s decision can be challenged.

He said board members also set conditions for readmittance to the district dealing with the students participating in drug and alcohol counseling, as well as attendance and academic performance at whatever