Friday, Jan. 22, 2010
San Luis principal assaulted
High school's John Lupini out until March 31
By Samantha Salas / ssalas@losbanosenterprise.com
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ReprintA San Luis High School official was treated for injuries after he was assaulted on campus last month, police said.
According to a Los Baños Police Department press release issued Jan. 15, officers responded to the school at 11:41 a.m. on Dec. 18 after a fight was reported.
At the scene officer Jaira Acosta determined a school official had been injured in the incident and needed medical attention, police stated.
Steve Tietjen, Los Baños Unified School District's superintendent, confirmed the school official was Principal John Lupini.
The press release stated that Lupini was pushed and forced to the ground after attempting to separate two students engaged in a physical altercation.
"Unfortunately Mr. Lupini was pushed from behind, fell and broke his arm," Tietjen said. "He suffered other injuries as well. He's out through March of this year."
Lupini was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital Los Baños where he was treated for his injuries, police said.
Although campus security was present at the time of the attack, they approached the incident from the opposite side Lupini had, Tietjen said.
"Since the student that assaulted [Lupini] came from behind him, it was impossible for security to have stopped him," Tietjen said.
Acosta arrested the 16-year-old alleged attacker and later determined the boy conspired with at least two other students to commit the assault.
Officer Eddie Dolzadelli identified the other students involved in the attack and took them into custody on Jan. 11, police said.
All three juveniles were transported to Merced County Juvenile Hall and charged with battery on a school official with great bodily injury, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Tietjen said the students remain in the juvenile facility while district administration pursues expulsion processes for all three students.
In Lupini's absence, Galen Chastain, a retired interim district administrator is filling in on campus through January. Alice Aguilar, also a retired high school administrator, will be taking over at San Luis High School starting in February.
Enterprise reporter Samantha Salas can be reached by phone at (209)388-6562 or by e-mail at ssalas@losbanosenterprise.com