Fmr. Rogers Student Receives Settlement After Suing School
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A former Rogers high school student has won a big settlement after he was suspended over a tweet about a teacher.
In 2013, Reid Sagehorn posted a two word tweet that resulted in his suspension. The tweet was part of a string of anonymous posts on a website called Rogers Confessions that detailed sexual acts of students.
Sagehorn's tweet, "Actually, yes," was in response to someone asking if he had kissed a 28-year-old teacher. As a result, the teacher was part of a criminal investigation.
The teacher was cleared and it was determined there was no relationship between Sagehorn and her. The website was taken down and Sagehorn was then suspended.
Sagehorn, 19, sued the Elk River School District, Superintendent Mark Bezek, Rogers Police Chief Jeffrey Beahen and others in June 2014 soon after he was suspended.
According to the Star Tribune, a settlement called for him to receive $425,000; $325,000 dollars from the district $100,000 from the police department. Sagehorn is getting $40,000, and the rest is going to legal fees.
Sagehorn said his tweet about making out with a 28-year-old teacher was meant to be sarcastic.
The district did not admit any wrongdoing.
The district's insurer will pay the settlement.