Kelli Davis Update

Last night, Clay County Superintendent David Owens upheld the decision to ban Kelli Davis' photo from her HS yearbook because she wore a tux instead of a swath of cloth that barely covered her chest.

Clay County resident James Stewart offered his opinion on the matter to local reporters:

"Young ladies wear one thing and young men wear something else. If you choose not to do that, you're out of line" ...

Okay, then.

Comments

[doghouse riley]

Sheee-eesh.

My wife's been a public school teacher for twenty years and she can tell you that one of the unintended consequences of making the schools a political football is the rise of the Imperial CEO administrator.

Both Davis and Ward are playing to the cameras. As with most such situations I think they've underestimated the effects of the national spotlight. (Mr. Ward can be contacted at sward@mail.clay.k12.fl.us in case anyone else feels like enlightening him.)

The simple fact here is that this need not, and should not have become an issue. It's a frickin' high school, gentlemen. This should have been solved behind closed doors in a meeting with the parent, and it should have been decided in Kelli's favor since you admit she broke no rule. Otherwise the lesson being taught is that political power, no matter how small, intitles the holder to inflict his slightest whim on the governed. Although, in Florida that might be an important lesson to learn.

[Pete]

"political power, no matter how small, intitles the holder to inflict his slightest whim on the governed."

Surely that's why they get into politics in the first place. The don't do as I do , do as I say mentality.
They love the power of it all.

As Billy Connolly said
"The desire to be a politician should be a disqualification from ever becoming one."

[Amerikat]

Should we ban girls from wearing anything but skirts and dresses while we're at it? Geez.

[Tom]

I just caught this today and thought it was a joke at first. Then, after reading the article, it was even more of a kicker to see that the parents bought an ad in the yearbook that will have the photo. How quaint of the school to accept the money for that.

[Steve]

UNFAIR!

This WASP small town southern hetrosexual (in other words, REDNECK) thinks Kelli is 157.995% right on this one.

[mrgrumpyhead]

And the principal's name is Sam WARD??

Sheesh. Sounds more like Sam WARDEN!!... To me! (No trouble, I got a million of 'em)

[james]

People like Sam Ward ....I wonder what kind of neighborhood ...church,,,,all personal aspects of Sam Word....If you live in his home town find out...You might be surprised. The old dog might be kinky himself.

[Jan]

No - this is NOT a REDNECK community(see note below) And it is about more than a lesbian wearing a Tux. It is about principals making ridiculous, outdated and often arbitrary rules, and having the free reign to continue to violate students rights. I see this regularly in our school district. People need to start showing up at school board meetings and paying attention to what these people are allowing to happen!!!!

Note:
Fleming Island High School is a product of Clay County’s new affluence. Necessitated by the rapid suburban development on the west side of the St. Johns River, the high school was conceived in the late ’90s and opened in August 2003 to meet the needs of Fleming Island, one of the fastest-growing communities in Northeast Florida.

[Arancaytar]

And these are the people you allow to run your schools in the US? :-/

But considering that the school then sold a yearbook ad to the family, I cannot help but suspect that what they were really after was the money. Oh well...

[Malnurtured Snay]

If Sam Ward had his way, Mel Gibson would've had to wear slacks in Braveheart.

[Ron O.]

They weren't after the money. The school at first would not accept the ad either. The family had to threaten additional legal action to get the school to accept the ad. Another smart, talented woman (who's name escapes me now) was the yearbook editor at the school. She was kicked off the yearbook because the principal suspected she would disobey and run Kelli's picture. I hope Ward gets canned soon.

[patti]

Here are additional addresses if you'd like to write a letter in support of Kelli Davis:

Fleming Island High School

Sam Ward, principal, sward@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Laura Johnson, vice principal, ljohnson@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Dan Finley, Assistant Principal dfinley@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Thomas Pittman, Assistant Principal tpittman@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Deputy Fred Eckert, Youth Resource Officer fgeckert@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Clay County Commissioners commissioners@co.clay.fl.us

Clay County School Board:

Carol Vallencourt CVallencourt@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Carol Studdard CStuddard@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Charles Van Zant, Jr. CEVanZant@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Wayne Bolla wbolla@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Lisa Graham LGraham@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Clay County Superintendent of Schools:

David L. Owens dowens@mail.clay.k12.fl.us

Let them know we're watching and outraged by this -
Patti

[Casey]

I saw this story on CNN news today in my government class. We were all outraged. Being one of the few "out" people in my school, and surrounding towns, I know what it's like to be zeroed in on. Why should Kelli be isolated because her school cant accept that times have change and that there ARE gay people out there. Maybe she should wear a skirt... with a shirt that says "HEY I'M GAY!" I wonder what their argument would be against that... It's a bunch of bull- they better get what they deserve.

[Nancy]

If you want a laugh, take a look at the faculty group picture:
http://www.clay.k12.fl.us/fih/

[Vicky]

I go to Fleming Island High School, and I totally agree with Sam Ward. Plus, the drapes that girls wear are not even close to being revealing.