Teacher in Iowa files lawsuit against school district and superintendent following dismissal after commenting on Charlie Kirk's demise
In a recent turn of events, Matthew Kargol, a former art teacher from Oskaloosa, Iowa, has filed a lawsuit against the Oskaloosa Community School District and its superintendent, Michael Fisher. The lawsuit, which is still pending, stems from Kargol's termination following a post on his personal Facebook account after the death of Charlie Kirk.
According to the lawsuit, Kargol's post was considered "rhetorical hyperbole" and was not made in the classroom or during working hours. The lawsuit does not specify the content of the post, but it claims that the district and superintendent acted not because Kargol's post disrupted the learning environment, but because they "disapproved of his protected speech."
The district's statement indicates that the matter was handled in accordance with applicable federal and state law and board policy. However, no one from the district could speak on camera due to this being a personnel matter and pending litigation.
The lawsuit states that the post did not threaten anyone, incite imminent unlawful action, or was directed at anyone in the school community. Despite this, about 8% of students were absent from school after the post was made, and the district received over 1,200 phone calls in response.
Community members filled the school district's school boardroom for Kargol's termination discussion, and Fisher's recommendation to terminate Kargol was made public. Fisher's condemnation of Kargol was based on his personal beliefs, not on evidence of disruption.
The charges against Kargol began in 2023, and the lawsuit was filed on an unspecified date. The district's focus is on creating safe, healthy, and kind schools, and it is unclear how Kargol's post affected this mission.
As the case unfolds, the community awaits a resolution, hoping for clarity and justice for all parties involved. The interview with Fisher was conducted on September 11. The exact statement shared by the district does not specify the content of the post made by Kargol on his personal Facebook account.
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