AUGUSTA (AP) – Two Cony High School students have been charged with vandalizing the home of an Augusta woman who had provided information to school officials that led to seven students being suspended from playing sports.

The 16-year-old girls are charged with burglary and criminal mischief for allegedly entering Cheryl Clukey’s home on Sept. 9, the day after the students were suspended from athletic participation for violating the school’s drinking policy. Police would not identify the students because they are minors.

“I was stunned,” Clukey said. “The couches and chairs all have to be repaired. Racks were taken from the refrigerator and thrown everywhere, chairs were broken, you name it.”

Clukey, a single parent, was housesitting for a friend when her daughter and friends held a party at her home on Aug. 31. Her daughter is a former Cony student who recently transferred to Kents Hill School.

When Clukey returned, she found property damage in her home and evidence of alcohol consumption.

She obtained the names of the partygoers and notified many of their parents, as well as school officials at Cony and Kents Hill. She later provided photographs from a camera she found in her house.

As a result, seven students were prohibited from participating in sports for six weeks, according to school rules, said Cony Athletic Director Dan Bowers.

Clukey, a former school principal in Gardiner who now teaches adult education, said she has repeatedly been harassed by students driving by her house and calling her offensive names. She said some parents have called her a liar.

“This has gone way beyond athletes making bad choices for their behavior,” she said. “This is about amoral behavior and students not knowing right from wrong, having no understanding of civility or respect for others, nor any personal responsibility.”

AP-ES-09-27-03 1244EDT

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