In a special school board meeting Wednesday evening, the Triton Central School Board accepted the administrative leave of a teacher following that teacher’s social media comments related to the murder of Charlie Kirk.

High school teacher Michael Buck was placed on administrative leave last week following a Facebook post that depicted Kirk’s picture and read in the caption: “Charlie Kirk, the anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-women’s rights, anti-anything-human rights, very racist and islamophobic rightwing activist, Trump ally, and executive director of Turning Point USA has died after being shot in the neck Wednesday while speaking at a university campus event in Utah, President Trump has confirmed.”

The picture of Kirk in the post has a comment overtop the photo that reads: “Let’s make one thing clear from the start: Charlie Kirk was a victim of a shooting in a country where he, along with other right-wing extremist influencers, have been inciting violence for years. Kirk is neither a martyr nor a hero. He is a cause.”

Initially, Triton Central Schools put out a statement that said:

“As many of you may be aware, a social media post made by a Triton Central Schools employee in the immediate aftermath of the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk has understandably caused concern among members of our community.

"After consulting with our school district legal counsel, it is important to clarify that, as a public employer, Triton Central has limited legal authority to censor, monitor, or restrict employees’ rights to express personal views on social media during their private time and outside of their official duties.

"The constitutional right to free speech protects even those expressions that are seen as calloused, insensitive, ill-advised, or mean-spirited. It is essential to understand that any such views expressed privately by employees do not reflect the values, beliefs, or philosophy of Triton Central Schools.

"We continue to grieve alongside our community during this difficult time. Please keep Mr. Kirk’s family – and our nation as a whole – in your thoughts and prayers during this tragic time.”

At Wednesday’s school board meeting, Superintendent Chris Hoke said Buck had submitted a request for leave until the end of the academic year, and has submitted a notice of retirement effective at that time, May 27, 2026. Hoke recommended the board grant his leave and accept his retirement.

The school board approved that request unanimously. Then board President Brooke Lockett read the following statement:

“I appreciate the community’s patience as we have navigated this matter. I also appreciate those that have respectfully submitted their concerns to Mr. Hoke, the staff and the board. I also want to reiterate a portion of the press release from earlier this week – ‘Callous, insensitive, ill-advised and/or mean-spirited expressions or comments expressed privately by employees do not reflect the values, beliefs or philosophies of all things we hold dear here at Triton Central Schools.’ We always strive to do what’s best for our students, our parents, our staff, our administration, and all of you, our community, every day.

“Charlie Kirk’s untimely death has grieved us as a community and as a nation,” she continued tearfully. “It has caused us to reflect on our own lives and reexamine how we treat our neighbors, even when we disagree. That is what Charlie Kirk stood for. My call to all of us is to respect one another, even in disagreement; to remember that there is always a person behind every opinion; that we here at TC are first, best and different in the very best ways; and we are blessed to serve on this board, to serve all of you, and to serve this community.”

The board took public comment on the matter prior to the decision. Several community members expressed frustration that the district didn’t immediately fire Buck for his comments.

“I was told it was Buck’s freedom of speech to be able to say what he said,” said Holly McCoy. “The Supreme Court in Pickering vs Board of Education from 1986 does say they have that right. They are not protected though from consequences if that right, if that speech, makes intentional or reckless false statements, nor can they disrupt the educational interest of the school district. They can not undermine authority, or adversely affect working relationships with the school, the parents and the staff. It also says it can not disrupt the school operations, be unprofessional, or against the employer’s interest on maintaining an effective learning environment.

“If Triton Central is telling me they are ok with keeping Buck because it’s his freedom of speech, that tells me that Triton Central is okay with saying that it is allowed and it is alright and protected to murder in someone in cold blood due to having a difference in beliefs,” she said. “That is what Buck is telling our children. I don’t feel my children are safe, or any children are safe in his class.”

Other members expressed frustration at the fact this teacher has had previous complaints that seemed to go unaddressed.

“I want to speak on behalf of what I feel like is the entire Triton Central community right now when I say that to not get rid of Mr. Buck in the school system would be a very poor decision,” said Jennifer Davis. “The negative impact he’s had on myself, other past students, current students and future students is something that needs to be taken heavily into consideration with this. I think when you look at where we are as a community, this would really turn things in a bad direction. I as a parent and a representative of all the other parents echo the same sentiments that it is Mr. Buck’s time to go. He has had more opportunity to change his ways over the years. We know this man has had more complaints than any other teacher in the system. I’ve heard it from so many people I can’t count that high, which is ridiculous. We do not want this person teaching our children and promoting the things he says and does. He makes unprofessional and inappropriate comments. This is not a standard that is acceptable for a teacher who should be in our school system.”

Some parents said they don’t feel like it’s safe to place their kids in a classroom with a teacher like Buck.

“Basically, I have three children in the school system,” one parent said. “I currently have a child in Mr. Buck’s classroom. He was told as soon as this happened that he’s no longer attending that class. If he has to be picked up from school and withdrawn from the school, then that’s what we have to do. I do not want my child in his classroom whatsoever.”

Buck’s name has already been removed from the staff directory on the school district’s website. A recording of Wednesday’s school board meeting is available on Triton Central Schools YouTube channel.
Copyright © 2026 The Shelbyville News