A reminder to local teachers and administrators: students have rights.
We’re representing a student who was assaulted by a teacher while he was at a dance at Niobrara High School. After school officials initiated force to remove the student, a teacher punched him in the face.
When a teacher physically harms a student, they violate that student’s basic constitutional protections including due process, equal protection, and the loss of a fundamental liberty interest in participating in school events and receiving fair treatment. This doesn’t happen equally. Teachers are far more likely to subject students who are Black or Native to harmful physical discipline.
Schools have a legal responsibility to create a safe environment for all students.
We represented this student to make things right and send a message about what happens when teachers harm students and push them out of school events. Our team settled this case and this student was awarded damages.
