Overview

• Christian McGhee was suspended in April 2024 for using the term “illegal alien” during a vocabulary lesson and sued the Davidson County Board of Education for violating his free speech and due process rights.
• The proposed agreement acknowledges that branding his remark as racially motivated was an error and offers a formal apology to McGhee.
• The board has agreed to pay $20,000 toward his costs after transferring to a private school following the suspension and litigation.
• A motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina seeks judicial approval before the settlement can be finalized.
• Legal experts say the case could influence how schools nationwide balance inclusive environments with students’ constitutional protections.