Teaneck Schools: Reports of Prank 'Exaggerated,' No Urine Found

Reports of a senior prank that saw more than 60 Bergen County high school students arrested this week were “exaggerated,” according to the students’ superintendent.

Teaneck Superintendent Barbara Pinsak and the district's administration posted several press releases and a letter to parents on the schools’ website Friday saying that she was disappointed by the students’ prank, but that it was not as severe as was reported immediately after the incident.

According to the releases, the prank was not as destructive as perceived, and the school’s custodial staff was able to clean it up in time for school to start at normal time Thursday.

The cleanup “consisted of returning desks to classrooms, removing a small amount of graffiti that had been written with water-based marker from several surfaces, cleaning a petroleum jelly product from doorknobs, returning tables and chairs in the student center and cafeterias to upright positions and sweeping the many balloons and toilet paper streamers that had been distributed throughout three floors,” Pinsak said on the website, noting that the prank caused no permanent damage to the school or anything in it.

There was also “no indication of urine” in the school despite reports that students urinated in the hallways as part of the prank, she said.

Pinsak also said she was concerned that the “exaggerated” media reports about the prank that she said, “misrepresent our school and community.”

However, she did say that the students are facing consequences from law enforcement officials and the school district, including ones that may affect their college acceptances and scholarships.

“The district in no way condones the poor judgment or behavior of any of our students,” she said.

“The District continues to assess the situation and is considering the consequences it will impose on the students implicated.”