MEMPHIS, Tenn. The principal at Cordova High School is on paid administrative leave after comments he reportedly made over SCSs virtual learning platform. Copyright © 2002 - var currentTime = new Date();var year = currentTime.getFullYear();document.write(year); Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. With the horrific events from last week at our U.S. Capitol, we have to ensure our children, teachers, and school staff remain in a consistent environment that promotes safety, cultural sensitivity, and represents the highest level of excellence," Harris said in a statement. Cordova High School Principal Barton Thorne was placed on administrative leave by the district in January after expressing concern to students over the way unregulated tech and social media companies have the power to control conversations and shut down discussions online. Therefore, I encourage all school leaders to meet with their teachers and staff to review these resources and determine the most appropriate ways to embed teachable moments into lessons and classroom conversations. In his remarks, Principal Thorne expressed concern about the ways social media companies are shutting down debate on critical issues of the day and encouraged students to talk with their parents or teachers about the ramifications of these actions on the First Amendment and free speech. The strength of the pack is the wolf. C.School Safety & Discipline A copy of the most recent Student Incident Report, which was submitted to the ALSDE in June 2020, is provided. And shame on principal Thorne for apologizinghe had nothing to apologize for and should stand his ground! In his comments to the school Monday, Thorne told students that a marketplace of free exchange of ideas was at stake, and that students should be concerned that there is not elected accountability for the social media and tech platforms and only financial power from users. How do you know if your ideas can stand on their own if there is no marketplace of ideas?. (Jennifer Cohron/Daily Mountain Eagle via AP)AP. We want to encourage them to participate in things and help them feel like it's their school," Brown said. Shelby County Schools are the only public schools in Tennessee that have not resumed in-person learning. Due to the cost of printing such large amounts of information, the Financial and School Safety & Discipline, reports are available on our website. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Gas Price Tracker Cheapest gas around Memphis, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, Risk of severe weather as storms move toward Memphis, Protestors target Gov. District officials have refused to answer questions from Thorne or his attorneys about when he will be allowed to return to school, or why he is being punished for speaking about the First Amendment. Thorne pointed out to students that companies such as Twitter, Facebook and Google have unilaterally chosen what users can and cannot see on their platforms, and he encouraged students to talk about the issue with their parents and teachers. Assistant Principal, 11th Grade. An equity officer for the school also gave an interview to the news about Thorne. The gesture was especially meaningful for Brown, whose mother drove a bus for over 20 years. Fortunately for Principal Thorne, the First Amendment is on his side and we will not rest until he is reinstated to his job and receives a full apology. Phone: Email: Degrees and Certifications: We are at a point where discussion of freedom of speech for all is now somehow hate speech to those pushing a twisted revision of history and reality. Someone from Shelby County that believes in freedom not free stuff. As a career educator in a very diverse community, I have prided myself on fostering a school environment that is open-minded, accepting and welcoming everyone who comes through our doors. The comments he made endorsed no political or religious points of view, and are widely accepted in public education curriculum, including in Shelby County Schools. $(document).ready(function () { A Memphis-area high school principal has filed suit against Shelby County Schools for violating his First Amendment rights after he was suspended for telling students social media and technology companies pose a threat to free speech. "Be in the loop as far as what's going on, and not whether or not you agree or disagree with the people being filtered," he said. The email included resources from the New York City Department of Education as well as a tip sheet compiled by SCS' social studies department. She held fundraisers and got involved with Alabama Science in Motion, which helped her acquire equipment that the school would not have been able to purchase otherwise. Principal Thorne was suspended from his job for preaching the virtues of free speech and tolerance. Enrollment at the time was over 500, double what it had been when she came to Cordova a decade earlier. Michael Lowe, with the districts Office of Equity and Access, said sometimes people need to temper back their comments in emotionally charged situations. Principals comments on the power social media and big tech companies have are under scrutiny from Shelby County Schools officials. Thorne has been instructed by the school district to limit his interactions with reporters. Principal Thorne was suspended from his job for preaching the virtues of free speech and tolerance. The appwas among those used to organize the deadly riots. Memphis-Shelby County Schools offers educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, creed, age, disability, national origin, or genetic information. All rights reserved. A Shelby County Schools principal is on paid administrative leave after aspeech to the school comparing the suspension of social media users and appsto Branch Davidians and McCarthyism. Vivian Jones is a contributor to The Center Square. This article by Joe Dodson was published December 8, 2022 on courthousenews.com. Home; About Us" Administrators; Family & Community Engagement Assistant Principal, 10th Grade. $(document).ready(function () { Shelby County Schools placed Thorne on paid administrative leave the day after his video was circulated. Individuals who are inciting violence should be removed, Thorne told the Commercial Appeal, referring to the social platforms. Brown took the group to local housing complexes as well as more rural parts of the community where internet service is not available, which gave the teachers a new perspective on how students would have to struggle to complete assignments that require internet research. Freedom of speech is a God-given right guaranteed by the 1st Amendment, and defending it is NEVER political. Follow him on Parler. While Throne was critical of the riots at the Capitol, he objected to actions taken by several social media platforms. The comments come at a time when SCS is working to help staff realize theres a right way and wrong way to address political beliefs and ideas. Im taking action because I meant what I said: Free speech is critically important and is under threat, Thorne said in a statement. The lack of accountability "should be very chilling for you, that should be very frightening for you," he said. More photos of the school's athletes and band members are scattered in the main areas of the school. The principal at Cordova High School has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the review of the comments that were made, Jerrica Phillips said. Bill Lee in Memphis, President Trump permanently banned from Twitter over risk he could incite violence, Man who sat in Nancy Pelosi's office says he is a former firefighter 'out of Memphis', Memphis lawmakers, officials react to rioting at US Capitol, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Hawkins Mill Elementary Helpful Achievers Worthy Knowledgeable Soaring to Excellence, Ridgeway International Baccalaureate Middle World Optional School, Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). [W]hat if a different group comes into power, that no longer likes what I have to say, how I think, or if they begin to think that Im extreme? var encodedEmail = swrot13('gubearoy@fpfx12.bet'); The strength of the wolf is the pack. Lindsay Kristin Anderson, 41, of Apex, was stopped by a trooper with the N.C. State Highway Patrol on Friday, according to Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification. Its whats going on with Twitter and Facebook and Google and Apple, and their decision as private companies to filter and to decide what you, you hear and know about, Thorne told students in a recording which the news station did not air. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABC Local 24) The Cordova High School principal placed on administrative leave after a controversial video is now suing Shelby County Schools, accusing the district of violating his First Amendment and contractual rights. $('span#sw-emailmask-2927').replaceWith(''); MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Shelby County School principal is suing the district after his suspension last month. Disclaimer: The materials contained in this website are for informational purposes and are not to be considered advertising or legal advice. Principal Thorne was placed on leave the day after his video was circulated. The strength of the pack is the wolf. The district confirms Cordova High Principal Barton Thorne is on paid leave while his comments are under review. How to Login and Use Google Classroom. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The principal at Cordova High School has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the review of the comments that were made, district spokeswoman Jerrica Phillips told the news station. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Corinne Murdock is a reporter atThe Tennessee Starand the Star NewsNetwork. Former Arizona State Student Appeals Conviction for Distributing Constitution Copies Liberty Justice Center filed an appeal on behalf of a former Arizona State University student who was convicted of trespassing when he handed To schedule an interview, contact Chloe Edwards at. The strength of the wolf is the pack. $('span#sw-emailmask-2745').replaceWith(''); Click on the link below, follow the instructions and you're done! The principal at Cordova High School is on paid administrative leave after comments he reportedly made over SCSs virtual learning platform. WebCordova High School The strength of the pack is the wolf. He warned students that these days, anyones voice can be canceled for any reason at any time by a small group of people and school administrators have proved him right.. He worked within the Shelby County School system for a little over 19 years this approaching fall would mark his 20th year. Three Loudoun County parents say the school districts student ambassador program, meant to combat systemic racism, discriminates against students based on their race and viewpoints. Thorne v. Shelby County Board of Education, Newsmax: Daniel Suhr and former ASU student Tim Tizon discuss appeal of unlawful conviction, Former ASU Student Appeals Conviction for Distributing Constitution- Newsmax, New Lawsuit: Albuquerque vote to give taxpayer funds to Planned Parenthood violates New Mexico Constitution, Virginias Discriminatory Ambassador Program Courthouse News Service. CORDOVA, Ala. As a child, Alisa Brown enjoyed playing school. Cordova High School Principal Barton Thorne was placed on administrative leave by the district in January after expressing concern to students over the way unregulated tech and social media companies have the power to control conversations and shut down discussions online. Principals comments on the power social media and big tech companies have are under scrutiny from Shelby County Schools officials. $(document).ready(function () { More:President Trump permanently banned from Twitter over risk he could incite violence. 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