School principal quits after suspending 9-year-old boy for calling his teacher 'cute'





A school principal who suspended a 9-year-old boy for sexual harassment after he called his teacher 'cute' has submitted his resignation.



Jerry Bostic, principal of Brookside Elementary School, in North Carolina, suspended Emanyea Lockett for two days when he was accused of telling a friend that he thought his teacher was 'cute'.



A substitute teacher at Brookside Elementary School overheard the remark and told Mr Bostic, who then suspended the boy for two days.

Attracted: Emanyea Lockett, 9, told his friend that he thought one of his teachers is 'cute', only to be suspended from school for two days

Yesterday, the principal submitted his resignation saying that he was not given the chance to apologise.



School officials also apologised to the youngster and his mother, Chiquita Lockett.

Speaking to The Gaston Gazette, Mr Bostic told how he was disappointed this is how his 44 years in education had ended.



'To me it’s a really sad final note to a career that I have found very satisfying and enjoy working with kids,' he said. 'I really don’t believe I was treated fairly.'

Confused: Emanyea's mother Chiquita Lockett told how she thought the school overreacted to her son's actions Disappointed: Mr Bostic said the incident was a 'sad note' at the end of his 44 years in education

A statement from the school system confirmed that the fourth grader did not engage in sexual harassment.

Speaking previously to local WSOC news, Emanyea said: ''I was talking to my friend and I said Miss Taylor was cute.'

'That's all I said,' Emanyea continued.



Serious school: Emanyea is in fourth grade at Brookside Elementary School in Gastonia, North Carolina, just west of Charlotte

Emanyea's mother told how she thought the punishment was too severe.

'It's not like he went up to the woman and tried to grab her in a sexual way,' Mrs Lockett said.



'Why would he be suspended for two days?' she continued.



One local broadcast pointed out the irony that the fourth grader was being accused of sexual harassment, even though he does not know what the term means.







