This story has been updated to add new information.
Kaukauna teacher Patrick Meyer has been fired in the aftermath of making a social media post referring to presidential assassins.
The Kaukauna School Board met in closed session May 27, starting at 8 a.m. and running for nearly 10 hours, according to Kaukauna Superintendent Mike Slowinski. At the end of the closed session, the board voted to terminate Meyer’s contract, 6-1. Charles West cast the sole “no” vote, Slowinski said.
Meyer had taught social studies at Kaukauna High School. He was placed on administrative leave after an X account linked to him posted April 26 about the April 25 White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting. The post said that he’s “not impressed with recent presidential assassins,” finishing with “MAGAA (make Americans great assassins again!) Sad!”
The X account was deleted after the post. However, screenshots of the post widely circulated online and sparked debate within the Kaukauna school community. While some of Meyer’s former students defended his abilities and record as a teacher, other community members said his post went beyond the bounds of what a teacher should say in public.
According to records from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Meyer had taught in Kaukauna schools for more than 20 years.
Rebecca Loroff is an education reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. Contact her at rloroff@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Kaukauna teacher fired after post about presidential assassins
Reporting by Rebecca Loroff, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
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