"There were actually several incidents, and they seem to have occurred over a period of time, beginning last fall," said LAUSD spokesman David Holquist.
The /*LAPD*/ is conducting its own investigation.
"Based on preliminary information, it is believed that no school administrators, teachers, or coaches actively participated in the alleged hazing activities. The focus of the investigation involves only male students at Taft High School," officers said in a news release.
"My coach told me about it," said Taft High football player Anthony Russo. "He warned us not to haze, said it's a very big deal at school, it's wrong to do, and it's a bad example for the school, makes us the school look very bad," said Russo.
"I heard that it was played to be a joke, and I think things just went very wrong," said student Eric Huffman. "The kids should be punished for this because I don't think it's right."
LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines said he has reassigned the staff members to non-school-based locations pending an investigation of whether they failed to report the incidents with the required time frame.
"The safety and security of our students must come first," Cortines said. "By law, we are required to report any suspicion of or actual abuse of a student."
/*Taft High School*/ officials tell Eyewitness News any students guilty of hazing will be disciplined, but offered no specifics.
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