Irrelevant
Up to 38 years!? This is going to go on your permanent record young man. Whatever. Slap on the wrist for being naughty is more appropriate. Couple days of detention would be more like it. Five day in school suspension was reserved for the most heinous crimes in my school system. Expulsion? If you attacked a teacher perhaps. Never happened in my school. Taking these kids to court is absurd. Just the ineffectual US educational system trying to scare kids because they tampered with the "rules."
Once you get your first job, your holy grade point average means absolutely nothing. Anyone ever asked you to see your University degree or High School transcript? Hell no. In business you either deliver, or you are gone.
There should be an Uncle Buck icon, since he knew how to talk to the principle.