A Valparaiso High School English teacher has resigned from her position following a controversial social media post she made regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The resignation was announced during a crowded school board meeting and has ignited a local debate on free speech, professional conduct, and the role of educators in public discourse.
Key Takeaways
- Kathryn Cichocki, a teacher at Valparaiso High School, resigned after a controversial Facebook post.
- The post referenced the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sparking public backlash.
- The incident drew the attention of Indiana state officials, including the Attorney General and the Governor.
- A public school board meeting featured emotional testimony from community members both supporting and opposing the teacher.
Details of the Social Media Post
The controversy began after the death of Charlie Kirk on September 10. Kathryn Cichocki, an English teacher at Valparaiso High School, shared an image on her personal Facebook account. The image featured actress Bette Davis with a quote attributed to her: "One should only say good things about the dead ... He's dead. Good."
The post quickly circulated online, drawing criticism and leading to its submission to a state-run portal designed to monitor school materials and conduct.
Valparaiso Community Schools (VCS) initially responded with a statement on social media, acknowledging they were aware of an "objectionable post" from an employee. The district clarified the post was made on a personal account during personal time and did not represent the district's values.
District's Official Position
In its statement, the school district emphasized its commitment to a respectful environment. "While employees have the right to express personal opinions as private citizens, the school district also holds them to high professional standards," the VCS statement read. The district noted it could not comment on specific personnel actions due to confidentiality rules.
Community Reacts at School Board Meeting
The issue came to a head at a Valparaiso Community Schools board meeting, where over 50 people gathered in the high school auditorium. During the meeting, Superintendent Jim McCall formally announced that Kathryn Cichocki had resigned.
The announcement was followed by public comment, with the majority of speakers expressing support for the former teacher. Many, including former students and parents, defended her character and her right to free speech.
Arguments in Support of the Teacher
James Manago, a former student of Cichocki, described her departure as an "irreparable harm" to the student body. He praised her skills as an educator and criticized the district's handling of the situation.
"Her character, guidance and ability as an educator were unimpeachable at that time and remain so today," Manago stated. "This district’s capitulation has robbed our students of a valued educator."
Manago later added that while he found Kirk's death tragic, Cichocki's comment was protected speech. "You can’t deprive someone of their First Amendment rights just because they chose public service," he said.
Counterarguments on Speech and Consequences
Not all speakers agreed. Valparaiso resident Andrew Karr presented a different perspective, arguing that freedom of speech does not eliminate consequences for one's words.
"Yes, you can have free speech," Karr said to the board. "That doesn’t mean you can say simply anything you want without consequence." His comments highlighted the central conflict of the debate: the line between personal expression and professional responsibility for a public employee.
School Board President Erika Watkins called for unity and better communication within the community. "I want to caution all of us in the hopes that we will really begin to listen to one another regardless of our faith, regardless of our political affiliations... so that we will begin to see each other for who we really are," she urged.
Another Teacher Resignation in the Region
This is not an isolated incident in the area. On September 12, the Metropolitan School District of New Durham Township announced it had "gladly accepted" the resignation of a Westville Middle School teacher for a similar social media post celebrating Kirk's death.
State Officials Scrutinize Teacher Conduct
The incident in Valparaiso is part of a larger, statewide response to teachers' social media activity. Cichocki's post was one of nearly 30 submissions to the "Eyes on Education" portal, a website established by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita for the public to report "inappropriate" materials or statements in schools.
Following the submissions, Rokita's office took several actions:
- Announced an active review of social media statements submitted through the portal.
- Sent a memo to school superintendents affirming their legal authority to discipline or fire teachers for speech deemed "callous, crude, and controversial."
The response from state leadership did not stop there. Indiana Governor Mike Braun also weighed in, stating on social media that the Indiana Department of Education would review posts made by educators about Kirk's death. He indicated that such reviews could lead to the suspension or revocation of teaching licenses for misconduct.
This heightened scrutiny from state officials has created a tense environment for educators in Indiana, raising complex questions about free speech, public employment, and the boundaries of personal expression in a politically polarized climate.