JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A judge recommends that the state dismiss the case against the educator’s certificate of Hope McMath, a part-time art teacher who was reassigned from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts during an investigation into her social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s death.
The recommendation does not automatically reinstate McMath with Duval County Public Schools. Her attorney, John Phillips, said the order strengthens their effort to get her back in the classroom.
The case began after McMath posted comments about Kirk’s death and Jacksonville City Councilman Rory Diamond, who had proposed budget changes involving funding for immigrant services, diversity, equity and inclusion, and reproductive care.
In one post, McMath called Diamond a “Grand Wizard,” a term used to describe leaders within the Ku Klux Klan.
When the story was first reported, DCPS cited Board Policy 6.84, which addresses fraternization and communications with students, including employees’ use of social networking websites.
The policy states that the publication of “inappropriate or unbecoming Material” on publicly accessible websites or electronic media by an employee could disrupt the educational process, damage the reputation of the district and its employees, and subject them to ridicule.
McMath and Phillips say the First Amendment protects her comments and that she made them outside her teaching duties.
McMath and Phillips are scheduled to discuss the amended order at 2 p.m.
News4JAX has reached out to DCPS for comments and is waiting for a response.
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