Commissioner accused of slapping student
by The Associated Press

MOORHEAD -- Clay County Commissioner Jerry Waller is due in court on charges that he slapped a male high school student during a shop class in May.

Records at the Clay County District Court say a 16-year-old student at Dilworth Glyndon Felton High School told authorities Waller slapped him with an open hand.

The student tells police the slap happened after Waller was accidently hit on the lip with a pen or pencil and students started laughing at him.

Waller is a teacher at the school. He tells police it happened when he reacted to a student making a derogatory comment about women, not students laughing at him.

Waller has been on the county commission since 1997. He is currently seeking re-election. His first appearance on the misdemeanor charge is set for July 28.

Waller directed questions to his attorney, Paul Thorwaldsen of Detroit Lakes. He did not immediately return a telephone call Thursday.