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.
The district is aware of recent employee social media posts regarding current political affairs. While we are unable to comment on the situation pending further administrative review, we want to be clear that our District firmly rejects all forms of hate and violence. Any confirmed violations of District policy will be addressed in accordance with our employment policies and procedures.