Knoch dirt bike prank could result in charges
JEFFERSON TWP — A Knoch High School student apparently wanted to end the school year memorably Wednesday by driving a dirt bike down one of the halls of the school.
However, South Butler School District administrators were not pleased.
The incident occurred about noon while school was in session.
A video clip of the prank was uploaded Wednesday onto the video-sharing website YouTube, and the clip had more than 3,000 views as of Thursday afternoon.
The 15-second video shows a student wearing a helmet and driving a red dirt bike through one of the high school halls and out a door. Students are heard yelling and cheering as he passes by. Staff were shown running out the door at the end of the video.
No one was hurt, and district officials and state police are investigating.
“When individuals willfully violate building procedures, it has the potential to be a detriment to school security,” said Jason Davidek, district spokesman.
Davidek said the incident was a student prank, but declined to say how many students were involved, what grades they are in or what kind of disciplinary action they may face, citing the investigation.
Trooper Ron Kesten said this morning that police have identified a male suspect and have talked with him.
“We're aware who did it,” he said, adding the student is an adult.
Police are consulting with the Butler County district attorney to determine if any charges should be filed.
Kesten said it might have been a prank, but said it was still a dangerous stunt.
“Someone could have got hurt,” he said.
The bike incident was not discussed that night at the public South Butler School Board meeting.
However, administrators did discuss upgrading security on campus at all four schools, which could include adding security gates, improving video monitoring, adding a transaction window to allow parents to drop off items, and increasing security at main entrances.
The board will vote on whether to approve security upgrades, which could total as much as $400,000 at its next meeting June 11.
The last day of school for district students is today. Senior graduation is tonight at 7 p.m.
