Two TSST students to meet with school board again over suspensions

Two Tulsa School for Science and Technology students appealing their suspensions will meet with the school board again Thursday. <br/><br/>The two football players were suspended last year after a fight

Thursday, February 3rd 2005, 6:16 am

By: News On 6

Two Tulsa School for Science and Technology students appealing their suspensions will meet with the school board again Thursday.

The two football players were suspended last year after a fight broke out on the field between TSST and Claremore. The district calls it assault. The players claim it was self-defense, but the decision is up to the Tulsa School Board.

Video of the brawl shows students from both Claremore and TSST fighting on the field. What's being debated is the intention of two of the students. The district claims the students used their helmets as weapons in the fight. The two students were then kicked out of regular classes for their senior year, but the parents of the football players say the district is wrong and the punishment is too harsh.

The tape shows a coach calling out a defense just as the fight breaks out. That goes against the districts opinion that the boys ran on the field just to fight. The parents also have their doubts about the investigation because the district didn't interview coaches or players.

Both sides will continue to present their cases when the hearing continues Thursday evening.