GARRETT, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) - The story about a northeast Indiana teen who was expelled for tweeting the F-word has gained international attention. Now, tweets from someone who works for the district are raising more questions.
The very person who is responsible for monitoring what is done on the school's computer network tweeted about Austin Carroll's expulsion on his personal Twitter account. Austin and his mother tell Indiana’s NewsCenter this has been very hard for them and having someone in the district tweet about it, only makes it even harder.
Tweeting the F-word is what got Austin kicked out of his high school.
This is one of those tweets: "BEEP is one of those BEEP words you can BEEP use in any BEEP sentence and it still BEEP make sense.”
Austin says he never expected this much attention from his story and he's been hearing a lot of feedback.
"They all supported me and said what the school is doing is wrong,” said Austin Carroll.
But not everyone agrees. The IT director for the Garrett School District tweeted: "Freedom of speech is our right, but it doesn't (always) make it appropriate. Think before you type people. #austincarroll."
The administration tells Indiana’s NewsCenter there is nothing wrong with his tweets. The superintendent told me you can't control what happens off-campus.
Austin still claims the tweets he was expelled for were done from his home computer. Austin and his mom tell me the district claims his tweets came from the laptop given to him by the school. The superintendent told Indiana’s NewsCenter the district has never expelled a student for what they did on their own time.
"No one can really understand why he's expelled. But he is," said Pam Smith, Austin’s mother.
Austin and his mother have asked for proof that the tweets came from a school IP address, but the district hasn't given them that information.
Although Austin and his mom think the punishment doesn't fit the crime Austin said he's learned his lesson.
"I haven't really tweeted much since then, I haven't said anything vulgar since then. I know I didn't do anything wrong with my twitter, I just feel like it's unprofessional for me to do it,” said Carroll.
Austin's mom says this has all been very hard on Austin, who also suffers from anxiety. She just hopes somehow he will allowed back in school.
"The teachers are awesome, and the staff is awesome, I just don't agree with the administration,” said Smith.
Austin is still attending an alternative school and can still graduate and get his degree.
Austin’s mom says lawyers have been contacting her about taking legal action. She says she just isn't sure she wants to do that and their number one priority is trying to get Austin back in his normal high school.
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