Miss School Numerous Issues Led to Cancelling of Prom

Mississippi school officials defended their decision to cancel a prom after a lesbian student asked to attend with another girl, saying it wasn't just the request by Constance McMillen (pictured) that led to the decision, but many factors.

Itawamba County school superintendent Teresa McNeece and school board chairman Eddie Hood told a U.S. district court judge that there were liability issues concerning safety and alcohol abuse that made them consider canceling the prom. McNeece and Hood also said classroom disruptions involving McMillen's request led to their ultimate decision, though they didn't cite specific examples of disruption.

"We were being hounded every day. Our students were being hounded," McNeece said. "We were having a tough time of any bell-to-bell instruction."

The American Civil Liberties Union, which is arguing for McMillen and her right to attend the prom wearing a tuxedo and with a female student on her arm, said the chaos didn't begin until after the school canceled the prom.

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