A veteran Rutherford County teacher is suing the school district after being fired for Facebook posts about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in September. Susannah O’Brien, who had taught in the district for many years, shared two posts from her personal account—one criticizing the decision to lower flags in Kirk’s honor, and another reposted from Occupy Democrats that harshly described Kirk’s legacy.

Her attorney, Mark Downton, says the posts were made on her own time, using her own devices, and were visible only to friends. “It’s a clear violation of her free-speech rights for the government — which is what the school board is — to punish her for speaking on issues that matter to all of us”.

O’Brien was placed on unpaid leave within days and then terminated for what the district called “unprofessional conduct” not aligned with expectations for educators. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Nashville, names Director of Schools James Sullivan and the Rutherford County Board of Education. It seeks reinstatement, back pay, and damages.

WGNS Radio, committed to giving all sides a voice, reached out to Rutherford County Schools for comment. The district’s Chief Communications Officer responded, “We did receive legal notice. We don’t comment on pending litigation but our legal representatives plan to respond through the judicial process.”

As the case unfolds, it raises broader questions about how far school districts can go in policing private speech—and whether educators retain their constitutional rights when they log off and go home.