Teacher plays 'Daily Show,' suspended

EUREKA, Ill., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- An Illinois high school teacher was suspended after showing students segments of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" in class, officials say.

Eureka High School Superintendent Randy Crump said Wednesday Rhett Felix, a first-year government and law teacher, had been suspended for six school days and will return to classes Nov. 28, the Chicago Tribune reported. Crump, however, declined to give a reason for the suspension, only saying Felix violated school policy.

Mayor Scott Punke, whose nephew is a student of Felix's, said he joined parents in complaining to the school after students were shown segments from "The Daily Show" starring John Stewart.

"I did, because of the language and the sexual overtones that were included in the show that were being shown to sophomores in high school," Punke said. "Many of the children don't even have TVs in their houses because of religious beliefs."

Punke said the segments shown in class dealt with the sexual harassment allegations against Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain and with the issue of healthcare insurance discounts for exercising.

"We're a very conservative community here in the city of Eureka," Punke said. "Certainly politics are playing a part, but my main concern is they are showing inappropriate material with language and dealing with sex to minors in a school setting."

Crump said after Felix returns to school, he will be reassigned.

"We don't know what his teaching assignment may be," Crump said. "The final decision hasn't been made."