Teachers in Maine and other states have faced scrutiny and discipline over comments or online posts they allegedly made after last week’s assasination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The intense focus on educators and backlash from students and parents over teachers’ words that implied approval of Kirk’s death or criticized the right-wing activist’s views has served as a reminder of the public-facing nature of the profession and additional expectations of conduct for those who work in schools.
Maine education officials and teacher union leaders did not have a count of such Kirk-related complaints or investigations facing educators who have been singled out on social media or in conservative forums. But one incident led to police getting called to a rural Maine school after parents upset over a teacher’s remarks came to the building.
Teachers from California to Florida have been fired or placed on leave for remarks about the killing of Kirk, the 31-year-old leader of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA who was fatally shot Sept. 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors brought charges of aggravated murder and other offenses against a 22-year-old Utah man Tuesday and said the man’s family described him as moving left politically in recent years.
Though investigators are still probing the motives of the shooter whom officials have not linked to any groups, Vice President JD Vance and others in President Donald Trump’s administration have cited the death of Kirk to vow a crackdown on left-leaning organizations they say promote violence. Prominent Democrats and Republicans have condemned Kirk’s killing.
Maine educators in towns ranging from Lincoln to Waldoboro and Kennebunk have been among those identified for purportedly making comments justifying or celebrating Kirk’s death. Teachers have speech protections under a 1968 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, but they can face discipline if the speech is deemed to interfere with their effectiveness as public employees.
The Maine Education Association, the state’s major teachers union, did not respond to requests for comment, while Maine Department of Education spokesperson Chloe Teboe deferred to local districts for comment.
One case spilled into public view after several parents went Friday to Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln to try to talk with the principal about a teacher’s Kirk-related comments. A parent told a Bangor radio station she and four other mothers went to the school because their kids are in the same classroom with the teacher.
Lincoln police officers at the school told the parents they could not enter, leading to a flood of online comments and rumors. A Friday news release from the Lincoln Police Department confirmed police were at the school in response to parents being upset about a “statement allegedly made by an employee” on Thursday and also stated that “additional concerns” were brought to officers’ attention while they were at the high school.
“After reviewing the facts and circumstances, we have determined that this situation does not rise to the level of a police matter,” the Lincoln Police Department said.
Police Chief Lee Miller also told the Bangor Daily News an entrance door was locked for part of Friday in order to “not allow just anyone in the school that wasn’t a student.”
“I think this is best practice,” Miller wrote in an email. “If a parent wanted to get their student, they just needed to call the office and dismiss them.”
RSU 67 Superintendent Chris Downing told families Friday the Lincoln-area district is “actively reviewing the matter and carefully considering the next steps.” Downing did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking whether any investigation is pending but wrote in the note to families the district will not share more because it is a “personnel matter.”
“I want to emphasize to the school community that the administration does not condone violence of any type,” Downing added.
Another investigation is happening in regard to a Kennebunk teacher’s postings about Kirk. RSU 21 Superintendent Martin Grimm said Monday the district is “following our established procedures to conduct a thorough and fair investigation into the recent allegations.”
“While I am unable to comment on specific personnel matters due to privacy laws, we are taking this matter very seriously, and our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful school environment remains our highest priority,” Grimm said.
