Students suspended over MySpace but not for what you would think
Students charged over their Myspace pages:
A popular website is causing controversy after some Mid-South students were charged with assault for their words.
The story stems from some Brighton High School student pages on Myspace.com and the parents who are fired up over what they call harsh charges.
We were upset because he was charged with assault,” said Don Barnett, whose son Chris and fellow 10th grader Kevin Black used the internet to suggest that certain teachers give higher grades to female students who wear provocative clothing.
So were they charged by the school or police?
Initially, they were cited for giving out false information and suspended for five days.
“He took his down on Thursday,” said parent Dana Black. “On Monday, he was called into the office. They had no proof of his website at all. It was all hearsay.”
Parents are outraged over a subsequent letter from the board which cites the students with assault, a charge that could result in their expulsion.
“Our boys here are not alternative school candidates none of them are I mean this is ridiculous, my son has perfect attendance,” said parent Robin Barnett.
On Thursday, parents walked out of a disciplinary hearing when they weren’t allowed to appear as a group.
Parents say the charges violate first amendment rights because the websites were created on home computers away from school.
Granted this is only one side of the story but from what I’ve read so far these kids did nothing wrong. They weren’t talking about shooting up the school. They didn’t post any inappropriate pictures. They were merely expressing a legitimate concern. The school is in for a PR nightmare.
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3 opinions for Students suspended over MySpace but not for what you would think
Liepar
Nov 10, 2006 at 4:49 pm
I have no reason to doubt what their claims. Ive seen it happen myself. Now I expect a follow up story about said teacher trading grades for provacative pictures, etc.
Dana Black
Nov 11, 2006 at 10:08 am
I am the parent of Kevin Black. My son created a myspace page for one of the assistat priniples using his picture and bio from the school web site. There were no inappropriate postings his his page. He thought it was a funny school prank making it look as if the administrator was joining my space. He was charged by the school board for assault on a school employee. He did not slander the administrator at all. The school was never able to view the site and have no proof what was on the site. I am dying to see what they bring to the table as evidence.
D.P.
Nov 12, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Even if something inappropriate was written…where the hell does “ASSAULT to a school employee” come into it? I can’t see how the school board has a leg to stand on.
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