Florida teacher claims school removed 'inspirational' Charlie Kirk poster after student complaint

ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA: A Florida school teacher claims he was ordered to remove a classroom poster and quote of Turning Point USA's founder Charlie Kirk, as per WESH 2. 

William Loggans, who teaches comprehensive law honors and economics at Horizon High School in Orange County, says he was instructed to remove the poster after a student complained about it. 

“I didn’t see anything political with it at all. It’s just an inspirational quote by Charlie Kirk,” Loggans said. Believing it to be an act of political discrimination, Loggans has hired an attorney and filed a grievance with the school district, hoping to be allowed to hang the poster again.

Florida teacher claims poster taken down over political bias after student complaint

William Loggans told WESH 2 that school administrators asked him to take down a Charlie Kirk poster following student complaints.

The poster featured a photo of Kirk alongside the quote, “Never underestimate the power of your voice and the impact you can have on the world when you speak up for what you believe in.”

Loggans said his classroom walls are lined with motivational posters from well-known figures such as Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and Ronald Reagan.

He explained that the Kirk poster was no different and it was meant simply to inspire his students and nothing political. According to Loggans, the school administration acknowledged that the poster wasn’t inappropriate but said it had to come down because of Kirk’s reputation as a controversial political figure.

“They admitted that the poster didn't say anything controversial and was inspirational, but that Charlie Kirk was a controversial political figure and that it would have to come down,” Loggans said. “I didn't see anything political with it at all. It's just an inspirational quote by Charlie Kirk.”

Loggans said he felt the decision was unfair, so he hired a lawyer and filed a complaint with the school. He hopes to be allowed to put the poster back up, but if not, he’s ready to take the case to court.

His attorney, Anthony Sabatini, a Lake County commissioner and lawyer, has agreed to represent him. Sabatini said the issue isn’t about whether the poster violates school policy, but rather that the policy isn’t being “fairly and consistently enforced.”

“It isn’t that they’re shutting down all these posters. They’re shutting down one poster of one teacher, and it just so happens to be Charlie Kirk, and the only reason they’re doing it is because he’s Republican and they don’t like that," said Sabatini. 

Horizon High says poster removed to keep classrooms neutral

The Orange County School District confirmed a complaint was filed. They said, "We understand many are grieving the tragic death of Charlie Kirk. The district asked that the poster be removed to maintain classroom neutrality, consistent with our policy prohibiting political or partisan displays. Our goal is a respectful, inclusive learning environment for all students."

Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas wrote, "An educator's personal views that are made public may undermine the trust of the students and families they serve. If an educator's conduct causes a student or his or her family to feel unwelcome or unwilling to participate in the learning environment, it may be a violation of Rule 6A-10.081, F.A.C."