Michigan Court Says Teachers Have Right to Sue Over Discipline

The Michigan Supreme Court says Lansing teachers had standing to sue the school district over how it disciplined students accused of assault.

The decision overturns previous rulings that had restricted access to Michigan’s courts and could open the courts to many parties beyond etachers.

The court’s majority says it’s simply restoring a right that was in place for decades, while conservative justices in the minority predict a flood of new cases.

The case involved a lawsuit by Lansing teachers and their union. They said the school district should have expelled four students, not suspended them, for throwing chairs and other bad behavior.

A state appeals court last year said teachers had no right to challenge how school officials discipline students.