AUSTIN – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) says it’s reviewing 180 complaints on educators’ comments they made online about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
On Friday, TEA said it will investigate teachers and school staff accused of making inappropriate comments on social media.
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In a letter sent Friday to superintendents across the state, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath directed districts to gather documentation of posts that could violate the Educator’s Code of Ethics. He said the materials will be reviewed to determine whether disciplinary action is necessary.
On Monday, TEA has been made aware of some Texas educators who are accused of posting or sharing ‘reprehensible and inappropriate content" on social media related to Kirk’s death and controversial views.
“These educators’ comments do not reflect the vast majority of Texas teachers who are dedicated practitioners that work diligently to serve the more than 5.5 million impressionable young minds in our classrooms,” TEA Commissioner Mike Morath stated in a released.
He said all complaints have been turned over for review at TEA’s Educator Investigations Division to determine whether conduct was sanctionable.
“While the exercise of free speech is a fundamental right we are all blessed to share it, it does no give carte blanche authority to celebrate or sow violence against those that share differing beliefs and perspectives,” Morath stated in the release.
Houston-area school districts respond
Pasadena ISD
Pasadena Independent School District’s superintendent Toni Lopez released a statement to its community following Kirk’s death after he was made aware of an employee making “insensitive comments.”
Lopez stated the following:
“Pasadena ISD has been made aware of inappropriate and insensitive comments made by an employee regarding the passing of Charlie Kirk. This situation is being addressed administratively, and we want to assure our community that comments of this nature are taken seriously. These remarks are not aligned with the values, standards, or expectations of our district.
“We regret that these comments were made. Pasadena ISD is committed to maintaining a respectful and compassionate environment for all.
“We extend out condolences to Mr. Kirk’s family, friends, and all those mourning his passing.”
Dickinson ISD
Dickinson Independent School District’s superintendent Rebecca Brown complaints made by its former substitute employee’s social media posts. Brown stated that the person was briefly employed and served in the district in 2022.
“Dickinson ISD has been made aware of a social media post connected to a former substitute employee who briefly served in the district in 2022.. We want to state clearly and unequivocally that the views expressed in this post are not the views of Dickinson ISD, myself as superintendent, board of trustees, or employees,” Brown stated in the release.
Goose Creek ISD
Goose Creek Independent School District started investigating its employees’ online conduct related to Kirk’s death on Sept. 10.
The district said it has received hundreds of communications, some threatening in nature, calling for the immediate termination of a Lee High School teacher who made “disrespectful” comments via social media about Kirk’s death.
The teacher was suspended from duty on Sept. 11.
On Sept. 15, Superintendent Dr. Randal O’Brien stated that the district would “not be pursuing the termination of another teacher on the campus who was accused of making insensitive remarks about the tragedy, since the administration did not deem that teacher’s comments to rise to the level of constituting good cause to terminate the teacher’s contract.”
Read Goose Creek ISD’s full statement below:
“On September 11, 2025, Goose Creek CISD began investigating reports of inappropriate employee conduct on social media related to the tragic act of violence against political activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025. Since beginning its investigation four days ago, the District has received hundreds of communications—some threatening in nature—calling for the immediate termination of a Lee High School teacher who made disrespectful comments on social media about the tragedy.
“The District has worked swiftly to bring this matter to a resolution. The teacher was suspended from duty on the morning of September 11, 2025, and has not returned to work since. The Administration has since determined that the teacher’s conduct violated the District’s standards of professional conduct for employees and constitutes good cause to terminate the teacher’s contract. Superintendent Dr. Randal O’Brien communicated this decision to Lee High School parents on September 15, 2025, reiterating the District’s commitment to maintaining a school community that is inclusive, welcoming, and free of hate. Dr. O’Brien also communicated to the Lee High School community that the District would not be pursuing the termination of another teacher on the campus who was accused of making insensitive remarks about the tragedy, since the Administration did not deem that teacher’s comments to rise to the level of constituting good cause to terminate the teacher’s contract.
“The teacher facing termination retained the services of an attorney, who advised the District on September 14, 2025, that the teacher does not intend to voluntarily resign. Because the teacher holds a contract that is governed by Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code, the District cannot unilaterally terminate that contract without following the very strict process set forth in the law. Specifically, the Texas Education Code mandates that a school district cannot terminate a teacher’s contract during the school year without first giving the teacher an opportunity to request a hearing before an independent hearing examiner appointed by the Texas Education Agency. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
“The first step in the teacher termination process is for the Board of Trustees to propose the teacher’s termination at a lawfully called meeting. If the teacher requests a hearing, the Texas Education Agency will appoint an independent hearing examiner to conduct an evidentiary hearing. The hearing examiner has 60 days from the date the teacher requests a hearing to hold the hearing and issue a recommendation to the Board. The Board must then reconvene to consider the hearing examiner’s recommendation and determine whether good cause exists to terminate the contract based on the evidence in the record. The Administration is asking the Board to initiate this process for the teacher in question by proposing the teacher’s termination at the next Board meeting.
“In summary, the District is taking the necessary steps to terminate the teacher’s contract using the process that the Texas Legislature designed to ensure due process for teachers accused of misconduct. This process is available to every Texas teacher who holds a contract under Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code, regardless of the nature or severity of the accusation(s) against the teacher. Goose Creek CISD will carry out its commitment to maintaining the professional integrity of its workforce in full compliance with the law governing the teacher termination process.”