Kaitlin Burnsworth, an Instructional Coach at North Charleston’s Compass Collegiate Academy in South Carolina Public Charter Schools, is suing the district for violating her constitutional rights after her termination over social media comments about the passing of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk.
Burnsworth made comments on Facebook during the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, finding the act a positive thing for US politics. According to Spectrum News, Burnsworth stated on Facebook, mockingly: “Maybe this school shooting will get the attention it needs because it’s a grown white Republican. But in the meantime… tots and pears, clots and prayers, witchcraft and voodoo. Whatever works. (Expletive) Donald Trump.”
This statement ultimately led to Burnsworth’s termination by the district’s board of education. Her lawsuit disputing this decision was filed on January 12. She is claiming that the post was a constitutionally protected political expression that was directed to a private audience rather than the general public.
“Defendant District did not identify the number, nature, or substance of any complaints related to Plaintiff’s private Facebook post,” Burnsworth’s lawsuit claims. “Additionally, Defendant District did not document any actual disruption to school operations.”
The lawsuit also argues that Burnsworth’s “termination violates her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, as well as a South Carolina state law that protects against wrongful terminations due to political opinions or the exercising of political rights,” according to Spectrum News.
The Post and Courier also reported on the story, detailing the district’s reaction to Burnsworth’s actions prior to her termination. Burnsworth’s then-supervisor expressed concern shortly after she made her post.
“While Burnsworth did not believe she had violated any policies or acted inappropriately, she offered to delete her post. Her supervisor confirmed the post did not need to be deleted, the document alleged,” according to The Post and Courier. This would change within a few hours.
“Later that day, Burnsworth posted a response on her Facebook account during work hours, while on a break, using her personal device,” the outlet continued. “The lawsuit did not specify what the response said. She then received a call from her supervisor asking her to delete the new post only, which Burnsworth did, according to the lawsuit.”
The South Carolina Public Charter School District has yet to release any statement on Burnsworth’s lawsuit.
