Report shows cage-fighting discipline used on students

A report stemming from a "grade-fixing" investigation at Dallas school uncovered some pretty unruly methods of discipline. Between 2003 and 2005, it is believed students were placed in a cage to "duke it out" if caught fighting and staff knew.

Sure, a tweak of the gradebook here and there to ensure the best players get their field time isn't unheard of, with Texas and New Jersey at the heart of recent scandals. A Basketball powerhouse in the Dallas ISD lost its Championship titles after an investigation revealed some grade tampering that allowed ineligible players to remain eligible a few years ago and many transcripts at a New Jersey high school were doctored and a principal suspended and counselors under investigation for grade-fixing going back as far as six years. However, in the Dallas case, it seems that some other horrible practices were uncovered during the investigation. In a Dallas news article, it was explained how the report detailed a statement made by a teacher claiming that the Principal, Donald Moten, would instruct security guards to take students caught fighting and throw them in a cage in the athletic area:

"and let ’em duke it out."

It also explained how two hall monitors witnessed identified individuals, including a coach, actually placing students in a cage, with one describing them as being "bare fisted" and without "head or eye protection." Another individual who was a counselor at the school recently filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against the district after allegedly being fired for making complaints. However, he did not witness the fights but said that it was "entertainment" for the staff. Neither parents nor the district's school board knew of the cage fighting until the internal report became known to The Dallas Morning News and they ran the original story on the cage fighting. No mention of discipline of the staff involved was made and no charges were filed, although Moten resigned last year due his involvement in the "grade-fixing" scandal and other pressure. In a news report, Moten responded to the cage fight allegation by saying:

"That’s barbaric. You can’t do that at a high school. You can’t do that anywhere. Ain’t nothing to comment on. It never did happen. I never put a stop to anything because it never happened."

However, what he said and the truth may be getting a second look as some board members are in shock over the whole situation. Another news story ran a piece that showed while Moten served on the Dallas Police force, he had staged his own kidnapping as an excuse for missing work. Aside from the cage fighting and the grade rigging, his name was also at the core of a credit card scandal in the school district. Donald Moten is currently under investigation by the State Board for Educator Certification.