Deyshia Hargrave, a Vermilion Parish middle school teacher, was arrested in 2018 after publicly questioning why the superintendent was awarded a $38,000 raise while teachers received no comparable increases. Video of the arrest went viral and prompted national coverage and involvement from the ACLU of Louisiana. Courts later invalidated the superintendent's contract, Hargrave filed a 2019 lawsuit, and the superintendent resigned and retired after a settlement.
Teacher Arrested After Questioning Superintendent’s $38,000 Raise — Viral Video Spurs Legal Action
Deyshia Hargrave speaking at a school board meeting, being arrested.
Teaching remains one of the most demanding professions in the United States: educators care for the country's children while frequently lacking adequate resources, institutional support, and sometimes even a livable wage. A 2018 incident in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, dramatized that disparity — and, despite a disturbing use of force, it ultimately led to accountability and legal action.
What Happened
Middle school language arts teacher Deyshia Hargrave attended a Vermilion Parish School Board meeting to ask a simple question: why was the superintendent receiving a large raise while teachers were receiving no comparable increases? Minutes after she pressed the point during the public comment period, Hargrave was handcuffed and escorted out of the meeting. The confrontation was recorded by YouTube user Chris Rosa.
Video Timeline
- Hargrave begins speaking at about 0:33.
- Discussion becomes heated around 6:35.
- Hargrave is arrested at approximately 8:35 and led out in handcuffs.
Her Concerns
Hargrave told the board:
"We work very hard with very little to maintain the salaries that we have... We're meeting those goals, while someone in that position of leadership [the superintendent] is getting a raise? It's a sad, sad day to be a teacher in Vermilion Parish."She later told BuzzFeed News she believed Superintendent Jerome Puyau was earning about $110,000 before the board approved an additional $38,000 raise — an amount equivalent to the annual pay of roughly one teacher or two support staff members.
The Arrest And Aftermath
Video shows a city marshal telling Hargrave to leave; after she walked out briefly, attendees noticed she was being handcuffed and removed. Hargrave protested on video that she was not resisting and said she was physically smaller than the officer. KATV reported she was booked on a charge of resisting an officer, though school officials later said they would not pursue charges.
The clip went viral with help from the Reddit community and amassed more than 600,000 views in under 24 hours. The incident drew national media coverage and the attention of the ACLU of Louisiana, whose executive director, Alanah Odoms Hebert, called the arrest a clear violation of Hargrave's constitutional rights.
Legal And Institutional Outcomes
Public scrutiny produced tangible consequences. In late 2018 a Lafayette court invalidated the superintendent's contract; a state appeals court later upheld that decision. In 2019 Hargrave filed a lawsuit related to her arrest. That year the Vermilion Parish School Board voted to remove Jerome Puyau; he agreed to resign and a settlement was reached regarding the controversy over his raise. Puyau has since retired.
Impact
Hargrave reported bruises, physical pain, mental anguish, and expenses for therapy and for being released from jail. The episode highlighted broader issues of pay equity, transparency in public meetings, and the rights of citizens — including educators — to speak at school board meetings. The case remains an example of how viral public attention can prompt legal review and institutional change.
Originally published on Upworthy; this article has been updated.
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