Conn. student James Tate still not going to the prom, says headmaster

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

Connecticut high school senior banned from prom because of sign he used to ask date to dance

James Tate and Sonali Rodrigues

/ Handout

(CBS/WCBS/AP) SHELTON, Conn. - Punishment stands for James Tate, the Connecticut high school student who gained national and international support for being banned from the prom after his creative proposal backfired.

In a brief news conference, school headmaster Beth A. Smith said Thursday that the Shelton High School stands behind its policy, and that James Tate will be not allowed to go to the prom, reports CBS affiliate WFSB.

Smith said Tate's punishment was the result of a well-publicized school policy that outlined consequences for anyone who got into trouble at school after April 1 - including banishment from prom.

Smith said, "This unfortunate situation is a result of one of those consequences." She did not take questions.

Tate and two friends taped 12-inch cardboard letters outside the school's main entrance, asking a friend to the dance as part of a contest among the three friends to see who could ask their dates to the prom in the most creative way.

The message said: "Sonali Rodrigues, Will you go to the prom with me? HMU -Tate." HMU means hit me up, or call me.

Rodrigues said yes to the request, but Tate and his two friends were given one-day, in-house suspensions and were banned from attending the prom.

According to reports, Tate was suspended on the grounds that he trespassed on school property and endangered his safety by using a ladder to post the letters.

News that Tate has been banned from the prom has received global attention.

Shelton Alderman Jack Finn told WFSB that the school's handling of the situation has been too extreme and said he has been inundated with phone calls and messages of support for Tate.

"Not only have Shelton residents e-mailed me, but I've received emails from as far away as Scotland, England and even up in Canada," Finn said. "I have respect for Dr. Smith. She's taken the school and turned it back into an education facility, but in this incident I can't support her."

Two state lawmakers said they were introducing legislation that would allow Tate to attend his prom. Reps. Jason Perillo, of Shelton and Sean Williams, of Waterbury said they were in the process of drafting a new amendment that will force school officials to give parents an option of completing community service when their child is barred from a school event for a policy violation within one month of the school year being completed.

A Facebook page for supporters of Tate has more than 104,000 supporters Thursday morning.

Tate on Wednesday said he feels bad that his two friends were given in-house suspensions.

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by acarter2009 May 14, 2011 1:48 PM EDT

As someone who worked for almost thirty years in a secondary school, I would have handled this situation differently with the full confidence that the student community would understand my reasoning. Since this student was not one who frequently if ever violated a school rule, I would have spoken with him about his actions. Was his intention to vandalize or harm school property? Did he use material that he believed to be easily removed with no harm to the building? If there was no damage to school property, I would have asked him to remove the tape and informed his parents of my decision.

If the principal acted out of concern that 'allowing one student to break the rules would result in a breakdown in discipline', I would say to her that 'the majority of students understand the difference between a true violation of the school behavioral code and a misunderstanding of it'.

When I worked with special needs students, I would hear a similar mantra from many teachers and administrators when I requested a modification to their tests, homework, or assignment. What would the other students think if Johnny gets extended time or if Suzie's homework assignment is modified? My refrain was 'they're smart kids who understand that equity doesn't mean things have to be exactly the same'. I feel the same way about discipline. The majority of the students understand that spray painting is different then using removable tape to write out a prom invitation on the wall and they see the principal's reaction as being out of compliance with the spirit of the law/rules.

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by antoniof123 June 6, 2011 2:40 PM EDT: I agree with you too so many have lost the meaning of the spirt of the law and instead try to make it according to their will only.


by dragon0058 May 14, 2011 11:04 AM EDT: This 'headmaster' sounds more like a dictator than a principal. She is blowing this whole issue way out of porportion. All the kid did was ask a girl to prom in a creative manner; it seems like it was a very sweet gesture. Thanks to this woman's overblown reaction the next thing to happen will be that men will be prosecuted for asking their girlfriends to marry them at baseball games or by streaking 'Will you marry me' across the sky with a plane and banner.; Reply to this comment


by ElizarBoxers May 13, 2011 11:24 PM EDT: Terrible abuse of power. I only wish I was a parent in this community. We would be taking up a collection, rentimg a local banquet room, hall or restaurant, hire a fantastic band, decorate the heck out of the place and hold the highschool prom at this new location. The heck with the school and implementation of a ridiculous decision....; Reply to this comment


by yadayadadingdong May 13, 2011 8:26 PM EDT: The school administrators made a decision. Now they need to stick to it. Changing their position will only encourage a multitude of similar stunts next year. The media made a circus out of this because it appealed to people's emotions; now politicians are following suit. Just drop it already.; Reply to this comment


by ChicagoMC May 13, 2011 3:18 PM EDT: This principal needs to get off her high horse and learn a little humility. The kid pulled a prank. One day suspension, Ok, a little harsh, but OK. Lose the Prom?? What does she do for serious misbehaviour, Impalement?; Reply to this comment


by Harden_Tar May 13, 2011 1:29 PM EDT: First of all, I think this is yet another nail in the coffin of common sense in America. However, what would happen if this kid falls off that ladder and breaks his neck? Would the parents sue the school for a bazillion dollars because the school did not protect their doofus kid? You bet they would. The would probably sue the makers of the ladder too. Stuff like this arises from the legal system and America is now overrun with stupid rules and laws because of it and the hit the legal lottery mentality the legal system has created.; Reply to this comment


by scofinj May 13, 2011 12:51 PM EDT: This action was a message from the heart for all to see, without reservation. The wall of the school did not appear to have been damaged, it was tape, not spray-paint. The immediate severe reaction appears to have been made without forethought of the message sent to the students and the wider community as a whole concerning what the school is teaching its students. What does the school represent? An institution that teaches rules are rules and do not break the rules on any account, or an institution dedicated to teaching students to think creatively, have courage to express feelings of the heart without fear in an open forum. Teach students to think in novel ways and express themselves in ways that do not harm others. A community project or service would be a more fitting reaction from an educator that at this moment has shown she is being paid a top salary to spout knee jerk thoughtless statements such as rules are rules, not what is in the best interest of my students and the school.; Reply to this comment


by Fareed17 May 13, 2011 11:55 AM EDT: Tate had violated school rules and despite the "unfortunate" situation, had to pay the consequence. The school rules here are un Constitutional. There was no notification (Due Process) that Tates' action would result in an automatic irreversible prom ban as the only punishment (Cruel and Unusual). There was no hearing on the matter for mitigation or aggravation (Right to Fair Trial). There was no police report or other law enforcement intervention. Dr. Smith may be in her right to her decision; but it illegal, because it is outside the realm of education. Where is the meaningful life experience example here? What eternal Truth is supported by her unilateral and stubborn position. Where is the reflection of the excellent example of exulted character? Where is the evolving standards of Human decency? In short this doesn't add up so it is not education (math). The kids better show they have indeed received some education, and get some parental support, raise some money, rent a hotel ballroom, decorate the room, hire a band and have a prom and invite Dr. Smith. If she is real about her decision she would be delighted to attend and feel proud of her students who in a civil manner, questioned authority for the better, and established organization for themselves (freedom with responsibility).; Reply to this comment


by sassalin31 May 13, 2011 11:53 AM EDT: He does seem like a very nice young man and the crime may not fit the punishment but rules are rules and if you bend on one, no matter how small, you have to bend on the rest at least that is what people will say/think.

The gov't has no business getting involved in this. Missing prom is not the worst thing that can/will happen in this young mans life. I do hope they can find some solution that will make everyone happy!; Reply to this comment


by VA_Jill May 13, 2011 11:38 AM EDT: Zero tolerance usually means zero sense. So it is in this case too.; Reply to this comment