Dekalb School Officials Suspends All Marching Band Activities

School officials in Dekalb County suspended all marching band activities while an investigation is conducted on "possible inappropriate activities."

In a release, district spokesman Walter Woods says the investigation is being conducted by senior staff and is looking into activities "among high school band members, alumni advisors, band directors and others surrounding DeKalb Schools high school marching bands."

Woods says the investigation is being headed by Deputy Superintendent Kendra March in an effort to determine how widespread the activity may be and what actions the school system must take to ensure the "safety of the students."

Officials said they have gotten two complaints from two different students at different schools. Woods did not say if hazing was involved, but did say the students were not injured enough to be treated at a hospital. He did not say which schools the complaints orginated from.

The district began investigating after Robert Champion, a former band member at one of the district's schools, died last month in what is believed to be hazing at a Florida A&M University. Champion attended Southwest DeKalb High, whose band is among those suspended, as did a second FAMU student, Bria Shante Hunter, who says she was beaten so severely she could barely walk.

"We've all seen reports of what's happened in band at the college level. That's troubling to us. It's all alleged....but we need to ensure that our students are safe and that band is a safe and productive environment," Woods said.

Tanisha Pope, a clarinet player on Southwest DeKalb High School's band, said the band practiced long hours but said she was disappointed about the suspension. 

"We put in so much practice and effort and look forward to big events," Pope said.

Another Southwest DeKalb student, Yosef Ozia, said he used to be part of the band, but decided it wasn't for him.

"The band director is very strict," Ozia said. "I went for one day and I didn't like it, so I quit."

However Billy Jones,  the parent of a Southwest DeKalb student, said the director was fair.

"He's a disciplined guy but he doesn't go overboard. He's here to teach music, and he teaches music. He does a great job," said Jones. "This band would not be going where it goes, and the things that it does and the events it gets invited to if he wasn't trying to maximize the children's skills."

Officials said the investigation could take up to 90 days.

There will be one exception to the marching band suspension; the district has decided four bands will be able to perform in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in Stone Mountain next month.