{"id":2455170,"date":"2025-07-03T10:10:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T14:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/high-schoolers-free-speech-case-settlement-approved-by-federal-judge-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T10:11:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T14:11:12","slug":"high-schoolers-free-speech-case-settlement-approved-by-federal-judge-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/high-schoolers-free-speech-case-settlement-approved-by-federal-judge-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"High schooler\u2019s free speech case settlement approved by federal judge &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhigh-schoolers-free-speech-case-settlement-approved-by-federal-judge-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2455170&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A federal judge has approved a settlement in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thomas-alito-fire-back-after-scotus-rejects-critical-two-genders-case\/\" title=\"Thomas, Alito Fire Back After SCOTUS Rejects Critical &#039;Two Genders&#039; Case\">free speech case involving<\/a> a North Carolina high school student, Christian McGhee, who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lebron-james-show-cancels-kanye-west-interview-over-hate-speech\/\" title=\"Lebron James\u2019 Show Cancels Kanye West Interview Over \u201cHate Speech\u201d\">faced disciplinary action<\/a> after a classroom incident.The case stemmed from a discussion in which McGhee asked whether the term &#8220;aliens&#8221; referred to &#8220;space aliens&#8221; or &#8220;illegal aliens.&#8221; Following the incident, he received a three-day suspension for class disruption, which has now remained on his record.<\/p>\n<p>The settlement requires the school board to issue a public apology, clear McGhee&#8217;s record of racial bias marks, and pay the McGhee family $20,000. In addition, the parties involved have agreed to keep the settlement terms confidential, except for necessary legal and financial disclosures. The judge&#8217;s approval followed allegations of inappropriate comments by school officials after the classroom interaction. The situation ignited social media backlash and scrutiny of the school board&#8217;s actions, leading to significant changes, including the resignation of board members implicated in the controversy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">High schooler&rsquo;s free speech case settlement approved by federal judge<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2164977\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Federal court approval has been given in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/free-speech\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">free speech<\/a> case involving a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/north-carolina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">North Carolina <\/a>school board and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/education\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">student<\/a> no longer in the respective district.<\/p>\n<p>Christian McGhee, then 16 and a student at Central Davidson High School in Lexington, and his parents Leah and Chad, sued the Davidson County School District Board of Education last spring. On April 9, 2024, a classroom discussion in which the teacher used the word &ldquo;aliens&rdquo; prompted Christian McGhee to raise a hand and ask if she was referring to &ldquo;space aliens, or illegal aliens who need green cards?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/education\/3461871\/democrats-amicus-brief-oppose-dismantling-department-of-education\/\">Over 175 Democrats join amicus brief to oppose dismantling Education Department<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3461914\/liverpool-player-diogo-jota-killed-car-accident-spain\/\">Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain, police say<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3461887\/four-republicans-flip-big-beautiful-bill-house-vote\/\">Who are the four Republicans Johnson had to flip in favor of Trump&#8217;s bill<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The settlement mandates the board offer a public apology; clears McGhee&rsquo;s school record of racial bias marks; and provide the McGhee family $20,000 from its insurer. The three-day suspension remains on his record with the board citing a class disruption.<\/p>\n<p>Approval was gained Tuesday in a hearing before Judge Thomas David Schroeder of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/north_carolina\/article_3c7bdb93-5245-4430-a63d-81a6157f9604.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Terms were learned a month ago<\/a>&nbsp;subject to judicial approval.<\/p>\n<p>All parties, per the settlement, agreed to not have any discussions or communications with media outlets about settlement negotiations or terms. The language is specific to nonconfidential terms being released publicly, and prohibition of disclosing &ldquo;the negotiations of the settlement or the confidential amount and\/or terms of this agreement&rdquo; except for legal, tax, investment or financial planning purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Lawyers for the Liberty Justice Center, representing he and his family, said the question by Christian prompted &ldquo;a boy in his class, of Hispanic heritage, jokingly said &lsquo;Hey, I&rsquo;m going to kick your &hellip;&#8217;&rdquo; and used an expletive. They say both boys are friends, the class continued, and afterward the teacher approached administration not about use of words but the appearance of a threat.<\/p>\n<p>Then came the explosions. Assistant Principal Eric Anderson, in a recording, equated the phrase &ldquo;illegal alien&rdquo; to &ldquo;the n-word,&rdquo; and said the teacher &ldquo;struggled&rdquo; in the situation because of &ldquo;being so young and female.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>After the incident, Leah McGhee was a target on social media from board member Ashley Carroll; she called out Carroll and board Chairman Alan Beck for &ldquo;slander&rdquo; of her name; and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/er.ncsbe.gov\/?election_dt=11\/05\/2024&amp;county_id=29&amp;office=LOC&amp;contest=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">14 candidates ran for three open seats<\/a>&nbsp;on the school board last fall.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/restoring-america\/patriotism-unity\/3458083\/how-students-benefiting-donald-trump-education-reform\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">HOW STUDENTS ARE BENEFITING IN THE AGE OF TRUMP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Beck didn&rsquo;t run for reelection. Carroll,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfmynews2.com\/article\/news\/local\/davidson-county-school-board-member-drove-drunk-crashed-and-injured-10-year-old\/83-aeca81eb-a0b8-424d-b014-21fc0e9630b0?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook_WFMY_News_2&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawKsFvtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFhRlJTVzR3dXhqTEVkdVJoAR4t94FJr1zdUU5app6NcWgsNPc4o0YN9XQ__zJv6SoxHvFVeczZWIIO9lhHnw_aem_iPyPP1C9cXDxmBW44GRfPg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">facing charges of driving under the influence<\/a>&nbsp;in a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >car crash causing injuries<\/a>, has since resigned from the board. Ironically enough, the crash was a year to the date &ndash; April 9 &ndash; of the question in the classroom.<\/p>\n<p>Cranfill Sumner represented the school board and Anderson. Dean McGee, educational freedom attorney at the Liberty Justice Center,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/libertyjusticecenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024-0507-complaint-with-exhibits.pdf?utm_source=2023+Media+List&amp;utm_campaign=a6edd5186c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_05_06_10_34&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-a6edd5186c-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">represented the McGhee family<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2164977\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2164977\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Federal judge approves settlement in high school free speech case<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2455171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pencils-glass-school-education.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[33791,32311,39312,33647,32076],"class_list":["post-2455170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-federal-judge","tag-free-speech","tag-high-school","tag-legal-settlement","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/pencils-glass-school-education.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2455170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2455170"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2455170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2455174,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2455170\/revisions\/2455174"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2455171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2455170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2455170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2455170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}