As many as eight students at Knoxville High School could face charges and school district sanctions, after a drinking incident during a winter dance at the school on Saturday night.

Knoxville Police Chief Dan Losada says they were called after school officials became aware that some of the students might be intoxicated; six were given breath tests, and one was in bad enough shape to require transport to Knoxville Hospital and Clinics. A second one later went there by private car.

District Superintendent Cassi Pearson says the school board has discussed possible district sanctions against the students involved; she declined to go into specifics, citing confidentiality requirements.

But she tells KNIA/KRLS News this event can be used to reinforce with other students the need to respect both school policies and the law when it comes to consuming alcohol on campus.

“One of the things I think we’re all in agreement in is just trying to make sure that our children and our community understand that some things are illegal for them to do like drinking because it poses a risk to their body,” Pearson says. “They can become physically ill and have to go to the hospital; but it can also impair their judgement and create other dangerous situations as well.”

Knoxville police have not decided whether any charges will be filed against the students involved; Pearson says some changes may be made in school procedures, but not the schedule — as the prom is still set to go on as normal.