New Jersey teacher Susan Parsons wins $325,000 after she was ‘scapegoated’ for removing MAGA imagery from yearbook

A former high school teacher won a $325,000 settlement after her bosses allegedly used her as a scapegoat by accusing her of editing a "Make America Great Again" shirt out of the school year book.

Susan Parson, who formerly taught at the Wall Township School District in New Jersey, sued the district in 2019, arguing they set her up to face punishment when a secretary for the school's principal ordered her to edit out the Trump merchandise.

She claimed the school district subjected her to a hostile work environment and barred her from speaking to the press about her situation. She challenged the district's media policy and eventually was awarded a $325,000 settlement.

Ms Parsons will receive approximately $204,000 after her lawyers are paid.

The Wall Board of Education approved the settlement, but did not admit any wrongdoing on behalf of the school staff.

In the photos at the heart of the legal battle, one student wore a "Trump: Make America Great Again" shirt, and another in which a student had a Trump logo on his vest.

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Ms Parsons said she voted for Mr Trump in 2016, but removed the photos when she was asked to do so.

The incident occurred in 2017 and made national headlines.

Ms Parson claimed she was told "that has to go", referring to the Trump merchandise in the photo, by a school secretary who was reviewing the yearbook.

However, once the story made headlines, she was suspended with pay for removing the photos.

Ms Parsons said she faced death threats as a result of the incident.

“My life has not been the same,” she said in 2019. “And I don’t think it ever will.”