TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) - The Taunton School District on Tuesday night denied a father's claims that his son was suspended for drawing a stick figure of Jesus on a cross .
School superintendent Julie Hackett said in a written statement that the second-grade student was never suspended over the sketch and that a drawing circulated to reporters by the boy's father, Chester Johnson, is not the same one that was discovered by the teacher.
Hackett also denied that the boy and his classmates had been assigned to draw something that reminded them of Christmas or any other religious holiday.
Johnson claimed his son was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation after the drawing was discovered.
"This incident occurred nearly two weeks ago, it was handled appropriately, and the school staff and family had been working together in a cooperative and positive manner," the district said in a statement posted on its Web site.
School officials did not specify any action they took, but said they followed "well-established protocol," including reviewing the child's records and consulting with school psychologists.
"It is unfortunate that the actions of our district staff have been classified as "religious" in nature when, in fact, they were based solely on the well-being of the student," Hackett statement said.
Source: http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/taunton-school-district-denies-boy-was-suspended-for-drawing-of-crucifix- 
