Duluth High School senior, Sam McNair, of Georgia has been suspended for a year for violating Gwinnett County Public Schools’ sexual harassment policy.
McNair will be not be able to finish his senior year after he hugged one of his teachers last month. A surveillance video shows McNair walking up behind a teacher and wrapping his arms around her shoulders while leaning in. The teacher claimed his cheeks and lips touched the back of her neck and cheek. McNair denies this claim.
“Something so innocent can be perceived as something totally opposite,” he said.
He also denies that he was previously warned by the teacher that hugs were inappropriate as she alleges in the discipline report. McNair says he regularly hugs his teachers, but has never been disciplined for it in the past. His mother, April McNair, was caught off guard by the suspension as this is her first time hearing of her son’s hugging being an issue.
“He’s a senior. He plays football and was getting ready for lacrosse and you’re stripping him of even getting a full scholarship for athletics for college,” said April said.
Though Sam holds a discipline record and previous suspensions, he has not been in trouble for sexual harassment and does not believe he should be punished for showing affection.
“You never know what someone’s going through. A hug might help,” he said.
Read the full article on CBS Atlanta.
What do you think, is the schools discipline too harsh?
