According to Sharese Shield Ages, an education attorney not related to this case,  "The school district should do a very good job communicating to both parents and students what appropriate contact is between students and teachers and to the extent that they have not done that it was an extreme punishment for the student."

 This is an extreme punishment that potentially derails college plans for this young man. The punishment does NOT fit the violation. 

http://www.wsmv.com/story/24209980/student-suspended-for-a-year-for-hugging-teacher