The Forest Grove School District will not fire a Neil Armstrong Middle School teacher following his social media remarks after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
"After a thorough investigation into the situation that arose from a social media post made by a staff member at Neil Armstrong Middle School, the district has determined the conduct does not merit termination of employment," the Forest Grove School District said in a statement published to their website.
"As we have previously shared, the Forest Grove School District does not condone violence in any form, nor do we condone the celebration of violence," the district continued.
Put on paid administrative leave by the school district shortly after his statements were made public, Cornelius resident John Colgan, a Cornelius City Councilor at the time, resigned from his elected position and apologized for his statements in his city council resignation letter.
At the school district, the administration promised an investigation, and said that the process would respect due process, Oregon's employment laws and union agreements that define how a teacher is disciplined.
"I want to acknowledge that there's a lot of strong feelings in the community. I think between the board members, and myself, and the administration team at Neil Armstrong Middle School, we've heard those perspectives load and clear," Forest Grove School District Superintendent Suzanne West said during a Forest Grove School Board meeting held Sept. 23.
"While we recognize and respect the range of perspectives in our community, our personnel decisions must follow district policy, contractual obligations, and the legal rights provided under Oregon employment law," the district said in their statement announcing that Colgan would not be terminated.
An email to a district spokesperson seeking clarification on any disciplinary measures Colgan faced as a result of his off-duty remarks was not immediately returned.
"From the beginning, I have been clear: the Forest Grove School District does not condone violence of any kind, nor do we condone the celebration of violence," FGSD Superintendent Suzanne West said in a second statement. "Our determination does not change this district position," she added.
In her statement, West said that educators had to balance free speech and a teacher's professional role.
She also noted that while many people shared their perspective with the district, some methods were unwanted.
"Too many in our community resorted to emails, telephone calls, and social media posts filled with personal insults, profanity, and threats directed at office staff, educators, support staff, and administrators," West said. "These actions are destructive and deeply harmful. No one deserves to be treated that way, and such actions do not reflect division—they create it."
