Student's Teacher Joke Cost $425,000

In January 2014, a 17-year-old Minnesota student named Reid Sagehorn jokingly replied, "Actually, yeah," to an internet post asking whether he had made out with a 28-year-old teacher at Rogers High School. The Elk River School District suspended him for five days, extended the punishment to 10 days, and then nearly two months, forcing Sagehorn to withdraw to avoid expulsion. He sued the district and local officials, claiming they had unjustly suspended him and violated his constitutional rights. In 2015, the school district and city agreed to a $425,000 settlement while admitting no wrongdoing.

Previous Fact Next Fact