What is the responsibility of the student?

My son was at school during gym class. A volleyball rolled over from another group. He was asked to to send the ball back. He kicked the ball back and it went straight up in the air and broke a light fixture that eventually came falling down. School maintenance wants him to pay for the damage of the newly installed fixture (approx. $250) which was clearly an accident. No, he shouldn't have kicked the ball, but I don't think he should have to pay for it or work it off with the maintenance crew.
It was during class, in a gym. Does he have any rights as a student. He is 15 and in the 10th grade. They are trying to put it on his record as intentional vandalism.