By Aaron Burgin, The Porterville Recorder
Three Porterville High School 12th-grade students who allegedly assaulted a ninth-grade boy during an on-campus activity were expelled from school, multiple sources said.

Sara Smith, mother of the victim Bryan Gerdes, 15, said she was informed of the development by a high-ranking school official and a number of PHS students. A source who is directly involved in the case close to the Pavones, the twin brothers accused in the assault, also confirmed that the Porterville Unified School District expelled both brothers and Juan Jaime “JJ” Rubio this week. PHS Principal Steve Greybehl refused to comment on the students' status.

Smith said she was relieved the students were removed from school, as it gives her son an opportunity to resume his education at PHS. “I am glad that the school board has come to a reasonable decision,” Smith said. “It would not have been fair if any of the men involved would be allowed to return to campus. “I am also glad that the system is working and that all the students are going to be held accountable for their actions,” Smith said.

The school board decided on the disciplinary action during an April 12 meeting, when they also ruled on 28 other expulsion cases. They did not disclose the individual decisions because of student confidentiality restrictions.

Smith, along with Bryan's father Mike Gerdes and stepfather Clint Smith, implored the board during the meeting to expel the three students, the parents said.

Superintendent John Snavely would not confirm that the individuals were expelled, but did say the board expelled each of the 31 students April 12. There are two types of expulsion, however, one type that would allow for a student to return to campus on a probationary basis, Snavely said.

The Pavones and Rubio, all 18, are scheduled to appear in Porterville court for a preliminary hearing May 23, after their attorneys rescheduled the date on April 16. They allegedly assaulted Gerdes, 14 at the time of the incident, after a school-sponsored dodgeball game, breaking his jaw in three places and knocking him unconscious, according to medical reports provided by the family that a reporter reviewed Wednesday. Each man faces a felony assault count with an allegation that the act caused great bodily injury, and a count of battery with serious bodily injury.

Chris and Ryan Pavone were standout wrestlers, each winning East Yosemite League titles, with Chris finishing two matches away from placing in the top eight statewide. Both also played football for PHS. Rubio was a standout football player for PHS and participated in wrestling during his freshman year. A reporter was able to contact one of Rubio's family members, but the family member declined to comment on the record.

Contact Aaron Burgin at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or aburgin@portervillerecorder.com.

This story was published in The Porterville Recorder on April 19, 2007