Albert Lea school board expels student for 12 months after Snapchat message that caused districtwide fear

The Albert Lea Public School District Board of Education voted 6–0 on Oct. 14, 2025, to expel a student for 12 calendar months after hearing evidence that a Snapchat message attributed to the student was widely circulated and caused extensive fear and absences across district schools.

Board members adopted written findings of fact and conclusions that said the district met three statutory grounds for expulsion under the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act; the board also directed the superintendent to notify the Minnesota Department of Education and to identify alternative educational services the student may use during the expulsion period.

Administrators told the board the message in evidence referenced another student's family and suggested a school shooting could occur the next day. “I would encourage this board to expel the student for 12 calendar months,” the district’s representative told the board during closing argument. The administration said the message was initially sent to a single student, but testimony and exhibits showed iterations of the message were…