Autistic Morton Grove Student Banned From Graduation Over Social Media Posts

MORTON GROVE, IL — An eighth grader with autism was banned from graduation from Park View School because of his social media posts. Jake Hoffman was suspended for posting online statements about stabbing classmates, and he knows the threatening posts were wrong but thinks his punishment was too harsh, WLS reported.

"I deserve this graduation. I should have walked down the halls. My friends felt sad." Hoffman told WLS. He also said he has faced bullying throughout the year. Neither the Hoffman family nor Jake's doctors were consulted, his sister told the ABC affiliate.

Morton Grove School District 70 Superintendent issued the following statement on the matter:

The district takes the safety and well‐being of students very seriously. Last week, we were notified through our anonymous student tipline of inappropriate social media activity. We immediately contacted the local police, who took the lead in investigating and responding to this matter. While we cannot disclose specific information regarding our students, our actions in this matter are consistent with District disciplinary policies. The District takes all allegations of bullying seriously and investigates complaints immediately consistent with District policy.

Top photo Park View School (Google Street View)