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(Lexington, NC) – A North Carolina high school student has reached a settlement with his former school district, nearly a year after his suspension.
Christian McGhee, 17, was given a three-day suspension last April for using the term “illegal alien” during an English class discussion. The disciplinary action sparked controversy and led to his mother filing a lawsuit, after she said the school violated her son’s First Amendment rights.
After a year-long battle, the Davidson County School Board agreed on Wednesday to settle the case. As part of the agreement, the board will issue a public apology, and state that his actions were mischaracterized and not racially motivated.
All references to the incident were removed from McGhee’s record, and the school district agreed to pay $20,000 to help cover the cost of his new private school – which he transferred to following the suspension.
