District: Alleged Student Hackers May Be Expelled

A group of Corona del Mar High School students who were allegedly caught hacking into school computers with the help of a private tutor to change their grades may be expelled, a district official reported in a news release Tuesday.

Officials said the news about the students' possible expulsions was released following a local news report that said the students may not be expelled, but could face a disciplinary measure known as "restorative justice," which focuses on teaching students to learn from their mistakes and building their character.

"While the district is a proponent of restorative justice and uses the practice in many cases, restorative justice is not being utilized in the current CdM process," Laura Boss, Newport-Mesa Unified School District spokeswoman, said in the released statement. "The principal recommended the students involved go through the expulsion process."

The expulsions would have to be approved by the district's Board of Education, Boss added.

Along with potential disciplinary action by the school, the students could also face criminal charges for hacking into the school's computers .

Newport Beach police still want to question private tutor Timothy Lance Lai, 28, of Irvine for his alleged involvement in the computer hacking incident. He has yet to be located, officials said.

"It is important to recognize that student disciplinary action is only one aspect of resolving this unfortunate and troubling situation," Boss said.

Do you think the students involved in the computer hacking incident at Corona del Mar High School should be expelled? Tell us in the comments.

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