A senior prank led to a school closure and police investigation - and now the students involved are facing the consequences.

South River High School students and their parents filed into the school’s auditorium Monday night to apologize and air out their grievances regarding the punishment doled out by the Board of Education following a senior prank they say is part of school tradition.

Rachel Borsuk is a graduating senior and the class treasurer and admits to participating in the senior prank.

"This town’s whole thing is tradition, pride, perfection. So, to take all these traditions and try to change them because of us following a tradition just seems completely unfair," Borsuk said.

The senior prank happened Wednesday, June 11, and police responded to the school Thursday morning with reports of unauthorized entry and possible property damage.

Police say a large group of students entered the school, outside of school hours and purposely defaced school property, calling it an act of criminal trespassing and vandalism.

Monday night's Board of Education meeting was the first time Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sylvia Zircher, publicly addressed the incident.

"At that time, for the safety of our staff and the safety of our students, the police needed to make sure that the building was safe because we didn't know when we walked in, the extent of what took place. In my time here, in the district, those pranks were done with the coordination and knowledge of our senior advisors," Zircher said.

The school was closed for cleanup on Thursday. On Friday, when students returned, they faced their punishment.

Students involved had to sign a graduation participation contract and agree to the following terms: Five hours of community service, pay a $150 fine and forgo the senior BBQ and the senior clap-out.

"The clap-out isn’t just about us. We’ve known all of the teachers and all of the people since kindergarten. So it’s really punishing everyone else around us, too," Borsuk said.

Melissa Borsuk is mom to two graduating seniors, twin daughters Rachel and Ashley.

"I think it’s too much. I think the community service would have been sufficient, maybe even the fine if they could show us that there was damage, that they did have to pay something. I’m not saying this is a get out of jail free card, but they’re children we need to show a little bit of grace," Borsuk said.

Rachel Borsuk spoke with News 12 ahead of Monday night’s meeting, and she says the punishment doesn’t fit the action.

"We did Saran wrap on chairs and toilet paper. It was all harmless, nothing was damaged, nothing was broken," Borsuk said.

No decisions were made at Monday night's meeting, and the punishment still stands.