N.H. dad sues school after son suspended from football team

October 10, 2017 / Athletic AdministrationCoachingFootball
The father of a New Hampshire high school football player is suing the school district, claiming his son was wrongfully suspended from the team.

According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, the 16-year-old was handed a one-year suspension from the team after he drove his truck across the Nashua High School North football field during the summer, damaging the playing surface. School officials said the policy for extracurricular activities clearly states that athletes can be suspended for vandalism, but the student’s father disagrees.

The student already paid $1,200 in restitution and served 36 hours of community service, according to the article. His father said the suspension is excessive punishment, and because the vandalism took place during the summer, the school should not be able to keep him off the football team.

From the article:

“We have been served unjust by the school district contradicting their own policy and basing decisions on emotions instead of facts,” the father claims in court records. “I spent my last $260 to fight for this ex-parte order. Cannot afford an attorney.” 

The father told the Union Leader that because the incident took place over the summer, the school district should not be permitted to punish him for something that took place outside of the normal school year. 

“The school has no authority to give them suspension during non-enrollment time. My son has been punished more than you can believe,” he said on Monday. “The Nashua High School North (football) team has suffered because he is not there to protect the quarterback.” 

The father already made appeals to the school and the board of education, and both were denied.

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