Concerned parents took initial steps Wednesday to form a group dedicated to ending entrenched traditions of hazing in Lawrence public schools.

Dick Patterson, principal of Lawrence High School, sought their help after weekend hazing incidents that resulted in suspension of 16 seniors at LHS. The seniors, including seven members of the baseball team, were punished for running sophomores through a paddle line in the middle of the night.

“Sophomores were hurt by upperclassmen,” Patterson said. “We have some ingrained traditions that students believe they have the right to do.”

He said Supt. Randy Weseman and principals of the district’s four junior high schools and the two high schools had endorsed formation of the advisory group.

“There are stories at every school of behavior that could be interpreted as hazing,” Patterson said during a meeting of Lion’s Pride, the school’s parent-teacher organization.

With the combined input of parents and students, he said, alternatives to hazing can be found that allow students involved in athletics, fine arts or other groups to bond in healthy relationships.

“There needs to be adequate replacement,” he said.

Coaches and staff also must develop greater awareness of the dangers of hazing, Patterson said. It’s not unlike campaigns to increase understanding of sexual harassment, he said.

“This is going to be a long-term solution,” he said. “This isn’t going to be fixed overnight.”

He said two-day suspensions given to the 16 students were both praised and condemned by district parents.

Ann Ermey, who had a sophomore son spanked by seniors, said at the meeting she was comfortable with the sanctions. She also said a group of seniors involved in the paddling had come to her home to apologize.

“I thought it was great they came and apologized,” Ermey said. “There needed to be some action taken. I didn’t think they needed to be hung out to dry.”

She said some parents ought to rethink their tolerance of hazing. “It’s not only the kids,” she said. “Parents are sitting there saying it’s OK.”

LHS seniors who were caught  possibly twice as many participated in the paddling  were given suspensions, required to take final exams and excluded from a barbecue and skip day. The seniors can attend prom and graduation.

“That was appropriate,” Weseman said. “We responded reasonably.”