Living with fallout from MTV

Shelley Cox

I am writing today, the day after the “emergency board meeting” the

school district held on Feb. 4, to report the fallout that has

occurred.

It is unfortunate that my photo appeared with an article in

another newspaper that failed to include my quotes. Because of this

photo my child was forced to speak on my behalf and defend herself.

No doubt my comments would have added fuel to these students’ fire,

but nonetheless, this situation was unnecessary.

My heart is sad, but more than that I am mad. Once again our high

school campus is in turmoil and students are choosing sides and

fighting with one another. Not a good environment for learning. I

want to know who these people are that have come into our town. Who

are these administrators that we trust to make good decisions on our

behalf? Who are some of these teachers that look the other way when

injustice is taking place or show such a lack of respect to their

students, our children?

Don’t get mad at me, a third generation Laguna Beach community

member. Don’t get mad at my daughter who just wants to attend school,

enjoy her friends and play on the school athletic teams. Focus your

energy on the culprits. Get mad at our school administration,

district and school board. They are the people who created this

monster. And after being “caught” they act as though, if not for

Janet Jackson, this MTV idea would have been a good idea.

Today, the school was crawling with networks interviewing students

and passersby. We have hit national news, bringing embarrassment and

ridicule to our community. Our district was discussed on radio and

our community is being laughed at. On the Internet, there are polls

asking whether you would allow your child to be involved in an MTV

production. When I looked at one it read 21% Yes, 79% No.

For those parents who have given permission for their children to

take part in this MTV project, I am not going to judge your parental

decisions. You can choose what you’d like for your child, but this

should have been done on your time, not the school’s. I hope you will

remember though, this project will impact our community and the

fallout from that ... well, time will tell.

My daughter and I aren’t the ones that thought, or should I say

didn’t think, that opening the door for a commercial for-profit

network to invade our space for $12,000 was a great opportunity. I am

an adult and it is my responsibility to speak up for what I believe

is right. My daughter shouldn’t have to be involved with decisions

like these.

Laguna Beach used to be a town of character and characters, now I

don’t know what or who it is. I’m tired of feeling like I need to be

supervising a group of adults. Being an involved parent is one thing.

Being a monitor is one more responsibility I don’t need or feel I

deserve to be in. I pay my taxes like you do to support our schools.

I volunteer. I attend meetings. I make suggestions and I work hard to

help Laguna Beach High School meet the standards of the school that I

once attended.

This isn’t the first time I have spoken up and so everyone that is

mad at me or my child -- I learned this from the school board last

year -- get over it and move on to focus on the real problem.

* SHELLEY COX is a Laguna Beach resident.