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A former Knoxville School District special education employee has filed a lawsuit after she was allegedly fired over a social media post she wrote about. Charlie Kirk after his murder.
Stacy Sumpter, a former special education employee, sued the Knoxville Community School District and its Superintendent Cassie Pearson after she was fired on Sept. 12, 2025.
On the day of Kirk's murder, September 10, 2025, while off duty, Sumpter wrote a post on her personal Facebook that drew the ire of community members.
“Normally I would say Auf Wide sehen; but since technically it means 'until I see you again'… So since I never want to see you again, I say goodbye,” she wrote, according to complaint. The comment was made in response to a photo of a list titled “Things to Remember About Charlie Kirk,” followed by a list of grievances about the slain activist.
Charlie Kirk throws hats into the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
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Her lawyers argued that while the murder dominated newspaper headlines and was the subject of widespread debate, Sumpter's statement was a “personal, private expression of her views.” They added that her comment “did not threaten anyone, did not encourage imminent illegality or violence, and was not directed at any member of the school community or society at large.” Moreover, they noted that the post did not mention where Sumpter worked or link her to the school because it did not occur during office hours or in a classroom setting and was not made using school resources.
The complaint alleges that on September 11, 2025, “members of the community contacted the County seeking punishment for the content of Ms. Sumpter’s speech.” The former teacher's lawyers noted that she came to work that day as usual and the position was not mentioned.
That day, according to the complaint, “Principal Jori Houser called Ms. Sumpter into his office over lunch and notified her that the district was receiving complaints about the views expressed in her communication.” Although her lawyers say she is “graduated school day without interruption,” Sumpter allegedly called Houser that evening to say she was being suspended while the county “investigated” the situation. The next morning, Sumpter was told she was fired.
A supporter attends a vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University, outside the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 19, 2025.
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According to the complaint, Pierson wrote a letter to Sumpter telling her that “the language used in the post was disrespectful and hateful” and that her employment with the district was “terminated immediately” due to the Facebook post.”
In response to an email from Fox News Digital, Pearson said the district does not comment on pending litigation.
Sumpter's lawyers say that after she was fired, she was denied the due process promised to her in county policy. It is alleged that the former teacher was not notified of her possible dismissal or the opportunity to defend herself.
“Defendants turned a moment of public debate into an employment crisis for Ms. Sumpter. Instead of respecting her right as a citizen to comment on political events of greatest public interest, or even respecting her right to due process to make her point of view, they chose to silence and punish her,” the complaint states.
A tribute to Charlie Kirk is shown on the Jumbotron before the NASCAR Cup Series race on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Wade Payne/AP)
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Sumpter's lawyers say the district violated not only its own policies, but also the Constitution. They argue that Sumpter's dismissal constitutes a violation of its First Amendment was correct because she was speaking as a private citizen and not as part of her duties at the school.
Sumpter is not the first teacher from Iowa sue after he was fired over Kirk-related comments.
A fired teacher from Oskaloosa and a teacher on leave from Creston also sued their districts, according to the release. Des Moines Register. The publication reported that the Creston teacher, who is on leave, could be fired.
Former Oskaloosa teacher Matthew Cargol filed a lawsuit after he was fired for publishing “1 Nazi Down” after Kirk's murder. The complaint that was published Oskaloosa Newsdescribes the comment as “rhetorical hyperbole about a widely covered public event.”
In October, Creston teacher Melisa Crook sued her district after she was placed on leave over a post in which she called Kirk a “horrible person,” according to The Des Moines Register. She added: “I don't wish death on anyone, but him not being here is a blessing.” Crook also later clarified that she does not condone violence.
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A judge later granted her request to block the county from firing her from her job. However, The Des Moines Register noted that the court has not yet ruled on a long-term preliminary injunction.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Sumpter's lawyers for comment.
