Oshkosh Area School District hears over an hour of public comment over a teacher’s social media post

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— The social media post of a teacher at Oshkosh West High School was the catalyst for a contentious meeting of the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) on Wednesday night. 

Background

After the murder of right-wing personality Charlie Kirk, Brian Phelps, the teacher in question, stated in a Facebook post that he disagreed with many of Kirk’s beliefs. The post called out Kirk’s divisive rhetoric, called him a morally evil human, and stated “the world is a better place without his voice and his ideas.” 

The teacher’s post was primarily shared via social media by the Winnebago County Republican Party, igniting a firestorm of protests and commentary. The teacher ultimately removed his post and deactivated his social media accounts. 

OASD Public Forum

Approximately 75 people filed into the Alberta Kimball Auditorium at Oshkosh West High School to observe the school board meeting. Twenty-eight people spoke to the school board. Of those 28 speakers, 21 spoke in favor of the teacher and the First Amendment of the Constitution. Only seven spoke against the teacher, asking for his termination.

Voices for Termination

Adam Ahrens equated the teacher’s social media post to hate speech. “Could you imagine being a student of this teacher and you are a Turning Point USA member, or you follow and admire Charlie Kirk? Would you feel safe in this classroom?”

Dan Irish stated that the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech is crucial for society. However, there is a limit to free speech.

“ I would hope that you would take into consideration that there is a line for First Amendment rights,” Irish said. “And when it becomes an issue that those of us that we disagree with should be killed. That’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed.”

Nicholas Griese was also one of those who requested the teacher be fired. 

“ A teacher condones an assassination. He supports political violence. He tolerates murder. This type of thinking and rhetoric is demonic. Some would say it’s a mental health issue. Actually, he should not be teaching our children. He should not be employed with taxpayers’ money, and he should not be on the payroll at all,” Griese said. “The irony of someone losing his life for free speech is applauded, but now people are angry and upset that this teacher might lose his job.”

Voices for Free Speech

Cindy Roeming, who stated that she is an employee of the OASD, said that disciplinary action for the teacher’s Facebook post would then require the district to hold all employees to the same standard. 

“ If you are contemplating any action other than letting this teacher continue teaching as he was, then you’ll need to monitor every district employee’s social media accounts and start taking action,” she said.

TJ Hobbs read a statement from another OASD teacher. “ If we fire a teacher for his Facebook post, then I truly believe that we teachers have no right to personal opinions, personal lives, or personal matters. We will have to be district employees 24/7 with no freedom to fight for justice or to speak up for what we believe in outside of work,” Hobbs read. 

Carmen Roeming, a former student, cautioned the school district against punitive action. “In this current case, punishing a teacher for private speech said on an outside forum, outside of school hours, sets a very dangerous precedent. It sends the message that any public educators in our district or even elsewhere are never allowed to have personal opinions. That their rights end at the schoolhouse door,” Carmen Roeming said.

No Action 

Following the one hour and 20 minutes of public comment, the school board took a brief break before resuming its agenda. It closed the meeting by going into Executive Session for the “Discussion of a Personnel Issue.” No action was expected to be taken in the closed session.