Boy banned from prom

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Shelton High School's headmaster says she's prepared to comment on the decision to bar a senior from prom after he asked a girl to the dance by posting an invitation in big cardboard letters in the side of the school.

Beth Smith says she'll release a statement on the punishment of James Tate at 4 p.m.

Tate's plight has become a cause celebration since the punishment was reported Monday, and landed him appearances on several national talk shows.

Republican State Reps. Jason Perillo of Shelton and Sean Williams of Waterbury say they are drafting an amendment that would force school officials to give parents an option of community service when a student is barred from a school event for a policy violation within the last month of the school year.