Overview

• The Oskaloosa school board voted Sept. 17 to terminate art teacher Matthew Kargol after his social media post about Charlie Kirk’s shooting death.
• Kargol filed a federal lawsuit Sept. 18 in the Southern District of Iowa alleging a First Amendment violation and arguing his post was rhetorical hyperbole made from a personal account off school time.
• District officials reported more than 1,200 calls and a student absence rate just under 10% after the post, which Superintendent Mike Fisher said created a substantial material disruption.
• The district said the board acted on the superintendent’s recommendation and followed applicable law and policy, declining further comment because it is a personnel matter and pending litigation.
• Separately, the Iowa Board of Regents directed the state’s three public universities to investigate employees’ posts about Kirk, place those under investigation on leave, and complete reviews within two weeks.