Overview

• U.S. Judge Nancy Joseph dismissed Melissa Tempel’s First Amendment lawsuit challenging her 2023 firing.
• The ruling cites evidence that after her tweet, the district received upwards of 20 hostile calls per day, including yelling and insults.
• The judge concluded the disruption to school operations outweighed Tempel’s interest in publicly criticizing the decision.
• The dispute began when the Waukesha district barred first graders from singing “Rainbowland,” calling the song potentially controversial.
• Tempel said she is disappointed by the decision and is considering an appeal.