Source: WLMT-TV ABC24
Memphis, TN -- One of the gay honor students allegedly outed against his will by his high-school principal told WLMT TV that he thinks the principal, Daphne Beasley, should get some education of her own.

The ACLU says Beasley made a list of couples in her school so she could cut down on inappropriate displays of public affection on the college campus where the high school is located.   On the list that was visible to anyone entering Beasley's office were  Nicholas and Andrew, two young men who had recently started dating.

Nicholas, who says getting an apology is the most important thing to him at this point,  says a reprimand would be appropriate.   But, he says, he doesn't want to see his principal lose her job because of this incident.

"Actually, I don't feel she should be fired," he told WLMT's Eyewitness News.  "I just think she should go to some re-education classes on how to deal with other students of different sexual orientations.  But other than that, no.   Because she's an o.k. person.  So I don't think she should be fired."

WLMT's Eyewitness News reports that  Nicholas' mother and members of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center plan to attend the Memphis City School Board meeting tonight.

School board members have remained silent about this issue, referring all questions to the district's legal team.

MCS has until this Friday, May 9, to formally respond to the ACLU's requests.  If not, ACLU attorneys say they plan to file a lawsuit against the school system.

In an informal response released last week, MCS lawyers staunchly defended the principal's actions, saying she did nothing wrong.  

Beasley has made no comments publicly about this recent controversy since it came to light a week ago.

People familiar with the Memphis school system told WLMT that Beasley has, for many years, been regarded as one of the system's shining stars.  In 2004, she was promoted from principal of a middle school to principal of Hollis F. Price Middle College High School.

Price was a brand new school, created that same year, for gifted students.  It is the only high school in the district that allows students to earn college credit.

WMLT reports that Beasley was one of a former superintendent's "fresh start" principals, considered among the best of the best educators with MCS, handpicked for the job at Hollis F. Price.

During an interview about her promotion and the challenges she faced, according to the WMLT report, Beasley judged to be "bright, articulate, energetic and displayed a deep passion for her students and their futures."

WMLT has requested official information from Memphis City Schools about Beasley's work history, but has been told that the information cannot be made available for at least 30 days.

(Apparently, the school system is concerned about protecting the privacy of the principal in a way the principal did not protect the privacy of her students.)

Full article: Gay Rights Advocates Plan to Attend MCS Board Meeting | WMLT-TV Eyewitness News

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