The board met Tuesday night in a closed session to discuss the issue following a public hearing where about a dozen people spoke, demanding harsh penalties. The decision was reached after midnight.
Six of the students had already withdrawn from the district.
"The Board's action imposes discipline upon these students for the maximum allowed by the Education Code for what occurred at Corona del Mar High School," said Board President Karen Yelsey in a statement.
According to the principal at Corona del Mar High School, the students allegedly got help from a private tutor, hacked into school computers and changed their grades.Newport Beach police are still looking for the tutor, 28-year-old Timothy Lance Lai of Irvine, to question him about the case.
If you have any information about Lai's whereabouts, you're urged to contact Detective David Syvock at (949) 644-3771 or Detective Sgt. Doug Jones at (949) 644-3775.
