Kids These Days:

The recent meltdown at Corona del Mar High School has only one explanation. This came to me while reading about the alleged attempt by Mayumi and Richard Heene to generate interest in a reality show based on their family by faking the news that their 6-year-old son, Falcon, may have stowed away in a balloon that floated away.

Now I know: The parents, students, teachers and administrators at the school have concocted a series of absurd moments to generate interest in, and revenue from, a TV reality show. It is the best explanation for the wild events that have occurred at a school that had previously made headlines only when it won some sort of award or championship; a school that Newsweek magazine ranked 171st in the country.

Consider: In May 2008, the school’s cheerleading team had six out of 10 competitions canceled because of lack of funds. Parents questioned where their money went. Lack of funds? In Corona del Mar?

Then there was the announcement earlier this year of the drama department’s production of “Rent.” The uproar was followed almost immediately by its cancellation in favor of a production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” But the controversy over the controversy was too much, and “Rent” was back in production at the school.

The Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kan., protested the play on-site. Also earlier this year, four students created and posted a video on Facebook, in which they threatened to rape and kill another student. None of the boys in the video was arrested or expelled.

In June, Chad Edward Smith (no relation), a teacher at the school, was arrested on suspicion of supplying marijuana to a 16-year-old student. Also in June, in what was described as a “senior prank,” about 20 vandals “spray-painted the walls and doors of the school with some benign and some profane expressions, dumped bleachers and soccer goals into the swimming pool, glued pennies to locks and covered trees with toilet paper,” according to a story in the Daily Pilot.

The “prank” caused about $8,000 in damage. It may please you to know that these cute little “pranksters” were disciplined and forced to pay for the damage. No arrests were made. So, while seniors from Estancia High School got cited by police last year for hanging toilet paper on trees, the CdM kids bought their way out of court.

In July, Principal Fal Asrani resigned.

But wait, there’s more! Last week, drama teacher Ron Martin was placed on paid leave.

The school district won’t discuss the leave, hiding under the “personnel matter” cloak, but Martin claims it was payback for statements someone claimed he made to two students about getting Asrani fired. Martin says he made no such statements. He is now back at work.

All of these events have happened over a period of 17 months. All but one has occurred this year. So, it makes sense that this school is suddenly on the radar because it smells an opportunity.

There is a motive: The cheerleading squad really needs the dough, and the school needs $8,000 to repair the damage done by those adorable pranksters.

And there is an opportunity. Reality shows are hot. Just ask the Heenes. The floating balloon trick has already been done. Watch next for reports of paranormal activity on campus.

STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and a freelance writer. Send story ideas to [email protected] .