May 3, 2007 7:06 am US/Central
Waukegan Pom Coach With Racy Photos To Keep Job
Parents Complained About Photos On MySpace Page
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (Lake County News-Sun) ―
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Some parents think this and other photos of Waukegan High School pom coach Natosha Shaw are indecent.
Courtesy: Chicago Sun-Times
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Courtesy: Chicago Sun-Times
Waukegan High School officials will give Natosha Shaw a second crack at coaching the school's pom team.
Parents and team members attempted to get the first-year coach fired last month, citing a litany of complaints including lack of organization, poor management and lack of instruction. Parents also railed against scantily clad photos of Shaw in dance and modeling poses posted on the coach's MySpace site.
Shaw, 25, an aspiring dancer and model who also works as an executive legislative assistant to state Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan, has defended both the photos and her job performance. She denied allegations that she either forged or told girls to forge their parent's signatures on medical release forms.
"I did not forge any forms," Shaw said.
Shaw met with parents and school administrators on April 20. Parent Sharon Lise said a group of pom boosters had made repeated attempts to discuss the issue with officials but were ignored by administrators until a story on the controversy ran in The Lake County News-Sun.
The meeting also was attended by security director Al Rogers and Waukegan Township Supervisor Pat Jones, both whom, according to Lise, defended Shaw. Jones also talked about the difficulty young African Americans have in the job market and told parents, Lise said, not to contact the media on the issue.
Neither Jones nor interim high school Athletic Director Mel Washington returned calls seeking comment. Shaw denied a rumor that she and Jones are related.
Lise said that two other first-year coaches, including a young, male, African-American cheerleading coach and a wrestling coach were recently let go.
"We were told everybody deserves a second chance," said Lise. "But when we asked why the other coaches didn't get a second chance, we were told off the record 'It's political.' How is that fair?"
Washington denied using his influence to save Saw's job.
"I think the reason they let Natosha stay on is the people who came to her defense," Washington said. "She did the system and the children a favor by taking over at the last minute. Instead of criticism, she should get praise. She showed character and commitment."
Shaw prefers to emphasize the success this year's team enjoyed.
"This season was the best competitive season for the girls ever," Shaw said. "We took third in the state competition. We took second place in the regionals -- better than the previous year and at the nationals we were 10th in our division. That lets us know we are doing something right as a team. Success is what we should concentrate on."
Despite parents insistence to the contrary, Shaw said she is a positive influence on her team.
"A role model is somebody who stands strong on what they believe, someone who reaches for their dreams," she said.
The photos that raised eyebrows are no longer accessible "to anyone who is not dealing with the modeling industry," Shaw said.
"I did listen to the concerns of the parents," said Shaw, who commented that she is looking forward to auditions this month and that she bears no grudge.
Lise and other parents, however, say they may appeal to the new School Board. Three new members will be sworn May 8,
"I'm still upset," Lise said. "She (Shaw) did something illegal and she needs to be reprimanded."
(CBS 2 and the Lake County News-Sun are news partners covering stories in the north suburbs of Chicago. If you know of stories happening in this region,
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