The district suspended Thomas and began the process to expel him. He was later reinstated, graduated and is now attending college, Kates said. Pittston Area Superintendent Frank Serino, High School Principal John Lussi and Solicitor George Shovlin did not return phone calls seeking comment on the suit. Laflin police also did not return several calls. Kates said Robert J. Thomas does not want to talk about the case because he is embarrassed by the incident.
People describe being violated, being raped, that their humanity has been stripped away.
But a strip-search should never happen on campus, Cucciu said. Any misbehavior is treated seriously to avoid problems that could grow into something as horrible as the massacre of more than a dozen students at Columbine High School in Colorado, Goldman said. Administrators have to be tough on drugs and alcohol because they could lead to violent behavior, Goldman said. They're a little lax in student rights in favor of safer public schools. Goldman believes that is a trade most parents would be happy to make.