caught on camera

Louisiana teacher arrested at board meeting after questioning superintendent's raise

A teacher in Louisiana who attended a school board meeting to question her superintendent's hefty raise was handcuffed and arrested on Monday in an incident recorded by a fellow attendee.

The Vermilion Parish School Board was voting Monday night on Superintendent Jermone Puyau's new contract, which included a $30,000 raise. Deyshia Hargrave, a middle school language arts teacher, stood up and said she had a "serious issue" with Puyau "or any person in a position of leadership getting any type of raise. I feel like it's a slap in the face for the teachers, the cafeteria workers, or any other support staff we have." She was interrupted by a board member who said her comment wasn't part of the night's agenda.

Hargrave continued to ask questions, until she was told by a city marshal to leave. Yelling could then be heard on the tape, and Hargrave was handcuffed and told to "stop resisting," NBC News reports. Hargrave was arrested outside for refusing to leave the meeting and resisting arrest, and later released on bond. "She got away from what I believe was the germane issue," said board president Anthony Fontana, who voted for the pay raise. He told NBC News that Hargrave violated meeting policies by asking questions during the public comment section, and he fully supported the marshal. His fellow board member, Laura LeBeouf, disagreed, saying she was "very appalled" by Hargrave's arrest. The Louisiana Association of Educators said its attorney is working with Hargrave on her next steps. Catherine Garcia