Parents: Cheerleader should be off squad

SHEFFIELD – Parents of high school cheerleaders asked school board members Monday to follow the district’s code of ethics to ensure that all cheerleaders maintain a reputable image while they are members of the squad.

The parents said they disapproved of one cheerleader being allowed to continue on the squad after a sexually explicit cell phone video of her circulated in recent weeks.

The parents, reading from the school handbook code of conduct, said the behavior was not in keeping with the policy and that she should be removed from the squad.

Superintendent Richard Gardner said he could not discuss disciplinary action taken against a student but said administrators have dealt with the issue.

Lisa Elledge, a parent of a senior cheerleader, pointed to the code of ethics saying, “if it’s not going to be followed, let’s just get rid of it.”

She said she didn’t want her daughter, who is head cheerleader this year, confused with the other girl, who is slated to be head cheerleader next year.

Cheerleader Ashley Watson said she understands the incident didn’t happen during school hours, but the cheerleader is “still a representative of our school. She’s still a cheerleader.”

The girl’s mother said she was told her daughter wouldn’t be punished but that she was punished.

“My daughter had something private on her cell phone and she didn’t do it during school or on school property, and she certainly didn’t send it out to everyone,” she said. “Two boys made it public, and to my knowledge, they haven’t been punished.”

The cheerleader’s mother said her daughter had even been voted head

cheerleader after the video got out.

“I’m just tired of hearing everyone talking (negatively) about my daughter,” she said. “I’ve sat at ballgames and seen parents watching (the video).”

In other business, Gardner told with board members his plan for publicizing an upcoming vote on millage renewal in the city.

Sheffield residents will vote on the 5-mill renewal tax May 8. All the proceeds from the tax, about $200,000, go to the schools.

“Sheffield has the lowest millage rate at 19 mills of any place in the Shoals area,” Gardner said. “If this doesn’t pass, we’ll drop to 14 mills. We can’t do without this tax. We need Sheffield residents to vote yes.”

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@timesdaily.com.