A Win For Students Suspended For Drinking In France -- Or Is It?

STERLING, Va. (WUSA) -- A trip to France for a group of Dominion High School students in Sterling, Va. ended on a sour note after the school suspended 11 honor roll students for drinking.

9NEWS NOW has been following this story for months.

The question is: 'Did the school violate its own policy when they handed down the punishment?'

School policy says first time offenders are only supposed to get 10 days.  A judge says that's not what happened and parents have refused to back down. 

Eileen Murdock says, "The judge felt the school system botched the suspension." 

Murdock's daughter, Erin, was one of those students suspended for drinking alcohol. A judge recently sided with Murdock saying instead of 10 days, the school really suspended them for at least 11. That extra day, means the record will show up on a college transcript.

Murdock says, "If this is put on her school record it will damage her reputation, damage her academic standing and damage her chances of getting into a good college, she is a 4.19 student."

Wayde Byard is the Loudoun County School Spokesperson. He says, "Nobody would be punished for a sip of wine in a host house."

Murdock says, "They suspended a child who didn't take any alcohol."

Jack Weber says his daughter was one of those who didn't drink but was punished anyway. Speaking to the school board this week he says Dominion High School broke its own policy. 

Weber says, "We've talked about the coercive tactics of the school and chaperons, conviction without evidence and students being allowed to carry alcohol back to the states."

Weber and other parents want their children's records expunged.

Weber says, "Some school board members agreed with us but a majority turned a deaf ear. Thankfully one parent refused to cave.   Weber was referring to Murdock's efforts and taking the school administration to court.

Murdock says, "Why should they get away with suspending my child for 11 or 12 days?" 

9NEWS NOW asked the school administration if the policy was followed correctly in France. Byard says, "The only way we know is if the parents sign this waiver then we'll know exactly what was done in France." 

Murdock says, "If they will be straight with me I'll sign it tomorrow."

Long term suspensions are reserved for students who are repeat offenders of the school policy.

Ironically, Murdock's daughter Erin is being honored next month for outstanding academic achievements.

While the judge only heard Murdock's case other parents have asked the school board to follow suit.