Southwest cheerleading coach set to resign over
students drinking alcohol in her home
The Southwest High School cheerleading coach was expected
to resign after two students became sick while reportedly drinking
alcohol during a party at her house over the weekend.
The students, a boy and a girl, had to be hospitalized.
The party was Saturday at the home of Sylvia Acevedo, the
El Centro school's cheerleading coach, said C. Thomas Budde,
superintendent of the Central Union High School District.
Budde said the party was not a school-sanctioned event.
He said Acevedo reported to Southwest Principal Joe Evangelist*
that she would be resigning. Budde was unsure whether she had
formally resigned as of this morning.
There were a number of unanswered questions this morning
regarding the case, which is under investigation by the El Centro
Police Department.
El Centro police reported this morning that officers responded shortly
after 11 p.m. Saturday to a large party in the 900 block of
Manzanita Drive.
Police said one girl had to be hospitalized from drinking alcohol. Police
did not have information on the age of the girl or whether there was
a second teen hospitalized. Budde said two students were hospitalized.
Information wasn't available whether police cited Acevedo or would
seek charges against her.
Neither police nor Budde had information regarding who purchased
or provided the alcohol to the students.
Budde said the district doesn't have much authority in this case because
it was not a school event.
However, he added the school district is concerned about students consuming
alcohol and abusing substances and will be looking at what role it can play
in educating students on making better choices.