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PISD denies MySpace appeal
Kevin Hageland, Staff Writer
The ongoing MySpace saga that has gripped Plano Senior High School for the last month completed another chapter this week as senior Brandon Shaw’s appeal to return to the Wildcats baseball team was denied the District Appeals Panel.
“When I heard the appeal had been denied, I didn’t really have too many emotions about it,” Shaw said. “I’m basically in a state of confusion, like I have been for the last month.”
When contacted about the appeal, Odenwald declined to comment.
The decision was relayed to the Shaw family via email Tuesday afternoon by Galloway. According to a document acquired by The Plano Star Courier, Shaw’s appeal was denied on the basis that he did not follow the dress code, was disrespectful and retaliatory toward David Allen, Plano’s head baseball coach.
Mr. Shaw replied to the decision with a scathing email that was sent to the three members of the appeals committee as well as 14 other PISD employees.
“If only Brandon had gotten drunk, smoked dope, snorted cocaine or kicked the side of a bus,’” Mr. Shaw said. “Then, maybe Brandon would still be on the team.”
Before this latest setback, Mr. Shaw said the family had pursued several options for his son’s baseball future. Mr. Shaw said he spent hours researching private schools in hope of facilitating a transfer for his son, but there were no takers because Shaw is so close to graduating. Mr. Shaw said an agreement was almost reached with Parish Episcopal, but that fell through at the last minute.
“As of now, Brandon basically doesn’t have any recourse but to sit out the season,” Mr. Shaw said. “But I have also contacted outside sources like the ACLU and filed an Area of Concern with the PISD regarding the appeals process.”
Mr. Shaw said he filed the Area of Concern in hopes of getting on the school board’s agenda.
“I have had between 50-100 people contact me, dating back to the 2000 team, many of which I don’t even know, who just want to help us with this situation,” Mr. Shaw said. “I am tired of the school district just sticking its head in the sand.”
Mr. Shaw said he has also consulted his attorney about filing litigation against the school.
In the meantime, though, Shaw is attempting to stay in baseball shape and focus on graduating from Plano.
“Everyone at the school knows about this situation,” Shaw said. “Sometimes it’s hard to even walk through the halls or drive by the baseball field.”
Shaw said he is working out with a personal instructor three times a week in an attempt to stay in playing shape. Shaw will also be serving as the assistant coach for the younger kids on his club team, the Dallas Diamond Jaxx.
But even with these activities in place, Shaw still worries about his future.
“I think this incident is going to put a black mark on my name and cause a lot of colleges to not even consider me,” Shaw said.
Shaw’s father added he is attempting to develop contacts with several colleges and the family is trying to put together and send out videos of Shaw playing baseball.
Even though the Shaw family is trying to formulate plans for the future, Mr. Shaw’s email to the PISD employees demonstrates how frustrated he still is.
“Despite your penalties and allegations, Brandon is a good person; and deserves better than the decision you handed down,” Mr. Shaw wrote. “Because of the leadership and family background we provided him, Brandon will survive this and he will continue to perform as a good student. The harsh penalties you imposed on him are without merit.”
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
LFerg wrote on Jan 28, 2007 11:09 PM:
" Maybe the younger Mr. Shaw should have thought about the repercussions of his actions when he set up the MySpace page. Nothing you do online is private, or easily interpreted, especially when the words used are supposed to be funny but really aren't.
It's called personal responsibility. The elder Mr. Shaw should be using this experience as a teachable moment about responsibility rather than trying to pretend that his son's actions weren't wrong. Spend your time teaching your son that it is integrity and honor that will build your future, not trying to cover up actions that are less than such. "
John Holmes, Plano wrote on Jan 29, 2007 1:58 PM:
" Sorry, Dad, but your son got what he deserved. Your "my son did no wrong" attitude is what enabled him to get into this situation. The PISD is not the ones with their head in the sand. What he did was wrong, and what you are doing by trying to help him escape responsibility is even more immature than what he did. "
EP Suggins, Plano wrote on Jan 31, 2007 9:06 PM:
" I know Brandon Shaw. I know his family. He and his family have been residents of Plano at least 25 years. They are members of Disciples Christian Church, were born in this town. None of these family members have ever been in any trouble. In fact, they have invested time, money and personal commitment to this community. Several years ago, when the kids were very young, they were nominated as the Plano Family of the Year.
I find it hard to beleive that after attending classes in the PISD all the way to his senior year, then getting hit this hard with this kind of penalty for defending himself against a threat from his coach constitutes rational discipline.
If you equate this to all the compliance courses I take at work every year to make sure equal opportunity, diversity, and harrassment does not occur in the workplace, it seems that it does occur in the Plano School System.
I think the overreaction of the Plano administration reveals the true character of their interest in public education. Quite the contrary, they want to stifle the growth of young adults. "
Bill Ryan wrote on Feb 1, 2007 3:44 PM:
" This young man has learned what many of his age group have failed to see. Every action has a consequence. What he did was wrong and he and his dad should understand that playing any sport at a school is a privilege, not a right. If you do something like this, live with the punishment. He knew what he was doing was wrong. And his dad should realize that it isn't Plano ISD that hurt his son's chance at playing college ball. His son did that himself. "
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