Following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Florida’s Department of Education has warned public school teachers against making potentially offensive social media posts about his death.
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas sent an email Sept. 11 to superintendents of all school districts. Kamoutsas reported being told of “despicable comments” about Kirk’s assassination posted by Florida educators on social media.
The commissioner wrote that such comments did not reflect the “vast majority” of educators.
“Nevertheless, I will be conducting an investigation of every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior,” Kamoutsas wrote. “This memorandum serves to remind superintendents and their employees that they are held to a higher standard as public servants.”
Polk County Public Schools, like other districts throughout the state, shared Kamoutsas’ memo with its staff. Polk Schools Superintendent Fred Heid also addressed the subject in his email to employees.
“In moments like these, it’s easy for a personal post to be misunderstood or to appear unprofessional — even when that wasn’t the intent,” Heid wrote. “Please be mindful that your words, likes, shares, and comments on social media can be perceived in ways you never anticipated.”
Both Kamoutsas and Heid acknowledged that school district employees have rights to free speech under the First Amendment, but said those rights have limits.
“An educator’s personal views that are made public may undermine the trust of the students and families that they serve,” Kamoutsas wrote.
In the memo, the commissioner did not give any examples of “despicable comments” made by educators and did not define what speech might trigger a state investigation. It is not clear whether criticizing Kirk’s political views or quoting his 2023 statement that some gun-related deaths are inevitable in a country with Second Amendment rights would qualify as violations of state rules.
Citing rules in the Florida Administrative Code covering behavior by public school employees, Kamoutsas wrote that violations could lead the Department of Education to “sanction an educator’s certificate.”
In his email, Heid wrote that some Florida educators had posted “inflammatory remarks” about Kirk’s killing on Sept. 10 in Utah.
“Posts that create an unwelcoming environment for students or families — or that diminish your effectiveness as an employee — may trigger an investigation and/or disciplinary action,” Heid wrote. “Please exercise caution and professionalism in all communications, especially on social media. Your words carry weight in our community, and our students and families are watching. We want every classroom to remain a place of trust, safety, and academic excellence.”
Union leader sees ‘witch hunt’
PCPS spokesperson Kyle Kennedy said Sept. 12 that he was not aware of any employees in Polk County facing possible investigation.
But one teacher has been fired over this ………..
Stephanie Yocum, president of the Polk Education Association, said that the Department of Education had never before warned district employees about social media posts. She called the threat of investigations “a witch hunt.”
“This is going to be the MO for this commissioner,” Yocum said. “He’s looking for people to make examples of.”
Yocum, whose union represents teachers and other district employees, said she had not seen any offensive social media posts from Polk County teachers.
Yocum sent an email to members in response to Kamoutsas’ memo. She wrote that, like doctors and lawyers, teachers are “held to a higher standard” regarding public behavior and that no one should promote or celebrate violence.
“But we also have First Amendment rights, and if this commissioner comes after people for exercising their right to free speech while they’re not inciting violence and they have opinions, no matter what side of their opinions they’re on, we will protect their right to free speech,” Yocum said.
Lawsuit city.