Teacher Fired For Putting Two Students In The Trunk Of Her Car

An Oklahoma veteran math teacher may have had trouble counting after she was fired for piling too many students into her car and going on a snack run.

On Oct. 21, in what probably looked like a stunt from a clown college, Tulsa World reports Heather Cagle and 11 students pulled into a Catoosa parking lot. The children ages 12-15 poured out of the Honda Accord (that only seats five), nine were actually inside the vehicle and two girls in the trunk. According to video collected from the school parking lot, it took the students about five minutes total to all fit into the vehicle.

Cagle said she was trying to do something kind for her yearbook students. That special trip to Walmart for snacks, cost Hagel more than just money – the bold move cost her the job she held for the last decade.

Last week the school board held a due-process hearing that went for six long hours. Cagle was in attendance and fighting back tears when she said, “It was a terrible mistake. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I just wanted to do something nice.” KJRH said the Walmart parking lot is “just behind Wells Middle School and has a connecting parking lot.”

Although Cagle reportedly had 50 supporters, in a 4-1 vote, the board recommended termination. She’s been on suspension without pay since the incident occurred.

Superintendent Rick Kibbe told Tulsa World, “Student safety and well-being are of paramount importance to the administration, and the administration respects and supports the board’s decision. Catoosa Public Schools has and will continue to be a district which provides all students with a safe and appropriate learning environment.” Cagle also needed parent’s permission to take the students off the school’s grounds.

Cagle’s attorney Richard O’Carroll told Tulsa World, “… There is no question she is an exceptional teacher. In my opinion, she will land on her feet, and it’s going to be Catoosa’s loss.”