Mass. school denies suspending student for drawing

TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) - December 15, 2009 The Taunton School District said in a written statement Tuesday night that the second-grade student was never suspended over the drawing. It also said a drawing circulated to reporters by the boy's father, Chester Johnson, is not the same one that was discovered by the teacher.

The district says the boy's teacher never assigned students to draw something that reminded them of the holiday season, as Johnson told reporters Tuesday.

Johnson earlier said the boy made the drawing Dec. 2 after witnessing a holiday lights display. He said his son was suspended and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation over concern about the drawing.

Johnson did not return a phone message from The Associated Press on Tuesday night.