What Is Crossing the Line For Sexual Harassment?

In a recent article, a 9 year old boy from North Carolina was suspended after saying he thought his teacher was cute. His mother was furious that the reason for his suspension was classified as sexual harassment towards a teacher. He did nothing more than say the teacher was cute, and the school took the measures to suspend him for two days. These days, sexual harassment has no clear lines, but honestly I don't think a 9 year old meant any harm by saying it. He did not grab her or make any uncomfortable attempts, so I think the school took the matter too seriously. Yes, maybe a time out or something if the teacher felt uncomfortable would've been okay, but two days of suspension seems a bit lengthy of a sentence for this boy. I found the reporting for this story to be pretty scattered. As more information comes out, they add to it, but it doesn't seem like they are adding useful information. They seem to be repeating a lot of things and only adding one new fact. As some of this new information comes out, more claims as to why the school took that measure have been uncovered. The school claims that the nine year old was saying inappropriate things to classmates and swearing. They said he was being a disruption to the class, but the boy's mother says she was never told about these disruptions and warnings the school gave her son. Whatever the truth may be in this story, I still think a two day suspension was a little much. There are other ways of disciplining but when it is disruptive conduct of a small child, letting him have a two day vacation usually doesn't solve the problem.