Settlement reached for Fla. boy voted out of class

MIAMI -- The mother of a Florida child who was kicked out of his kindergarten class after the teacher held a vote among fellow students about his disruptive behavior has reached a $350,000 settlement with St. Lucie County education officials.

Federal court documents show the county school board and teachers union agreed to pay the settlement to Melissa Barton and her son, Alex.

The Stuart News reported Wednesday that the settlement was reached Nov. 24 in Miami. A review by a third party designated to consider the best interests of the child is required before the agreement can be finalized in court.

Barton and education officials declined to comment.

Barton said that in 2008, her son was forced to stand in front of his peers and be told why "they hated him."