Award For Ex-Principal Is Appealed

Attorneys for the Minidoka County School District are asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a ruling for a former principal who planned to teach his children at home.

In a 2-1 ruling, the court on July 8 upheld a jury’s $300,000 damage award for former elementary school principal Frank Peterson and also awarded him attorneys’ fees.

The court said Peterson’s choice of home-schooling for his eight children attending public schools was religiously motivated and also protected by his constitutional right to choose his children’s education.

It rejected the district’s argument that the reaction of teachers, who felt insulted by Peterson’s decision, justified his demotion.