A federal judge has refused to immediately halt disciplinary actions against two Iowa teachers stemming from their social media reactions to the death of a conservative activist. The judge acknowledged the situation surrounding the investigations as “deeply troubling,” but ultimately declined to intervene in the state’s process.
Katherine Mejia and Jennifer Smith filed a lawsuit claiming the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) violated their First Amendment rights by investigating their posts made shortly after the activist’s assassination. They argued the state licensing authority was improperly targeting their speech.
Chief Judge Stephanie Rose of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa determined that federal courts generally shouldn’t interfere with ongoing state disciplinary proceedings. The teachers were advised to present their constitutional arguments during the board’s review and, if necessary, in Iowa state courts.
The judge explained that professional licensing investigations are considered “quasi-criminal” in nature, requiring federal courts to step back and allow the state process to unfold. Formal cases had already been opened against both teachers, solidifying this legal position.
Crucially, the judge’s decision doesn’t rule on whether the board’s actions were actually unconstitutional. The teachers’ requests for immediate court orders were dismissed, but they retain the option to return to federal court after the state proceedings are complete.
Judge Rose expressed significant concern over the timing and scope of the board’s response. She wrote that mobilizing a licensing authority in response to political pressure to suppress dissenting opinions on a public figure’s death “raises serious questions” about potential overreach.
The lawsuit details that Mejia, a school counselor, reposted commentary critical of the activist, stating he was “a cause!” not a martyr. She received a reprimand from her superintendent, despite being on approved leave at the time of the post.
Adding to the controversy, the lawsuit alleges that the BOEE’s executive director sent a letter to school superintendents across Iowa, encouraging them to file complaints against educators who commented on the activist’s death, even specifying the relevant ethical rule for doing so.
This letter, according to the suit, directly prompted Mejia’s superintendent to submit a complaint. The board’s attorneys countered that initiating an investigation isn’t itself a disciplinary action and that Iowa has a legitimate interest in upholding professional standards for teachers.
Jennifer Smith, a teacher in another district, posted on Facebook quoting the activist’s past criticisms of Martin Luther King Jr. and his views on gun deaths. She wrote, “RIP you monster,” and expressed a harsh judgment of his legacy, later deleting the post after being contacted by HR.
Following the BOEE director’s letter, Smith’s superintendent also filed a complaint against her. Both teachers are seeking to prevent the board from pursuing disciplinary action, arguing their posts were protected political speech on matters of public concern.
They fear that even a finding of probable cause could damage their professional reputations and potentially jeopardize their employment under Iowa law. The case highlights a growing tension between educators’ rights to free expression and the responsibilities of their profession.
The teachers’ claims for financial compensation against the BOEE’s executive director have been temporarily put on hold, awaiting the outcome of the board’s disciplinary process. The core issue remains: whether the state overstepped its bounds in responding to online commentary following a controversial figure’s death.
