A Minnesota elementary school teacher is suing her district, claiming she was unfairly punished for a private Facebook post. She says the school’s actions violated her First Amendment rights and amounted to viewpoint discrimination.
The Facebook Post That Sparked Controversy
The case centers on a post made by Brooke Zahn, a fourth-grade teacher at Jeffers Pond Elementary. Writing in a private Facebook group from her home, Zahn used her maiden name and included a disclaimer that her account reflected only her personal views. The post read: “A family that is deported together stays together.”
Zahn argues the post was made outside of work hours, in a private setting, and unrelated to her professional role as a teacher.
School District’s Response
According to the lawsuit, the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools district suspended Zahn after receiving complaints about the post. Zahn says most of the complaints came from people outside the school community who never interacted with her professionally but disagreed politically with her views.
The complaint also accuses the district of fueling the backlash by drawing attention to her comments publicly and expressing disapproval.
Teacher Claims Violation of Free Speech
Zahn insists the district violated her right to free speech. In a statement to the Star Tribune, she said she loves teaching but believes her discipline was unjust.
“I am standing up for my rights as a citizen and to ensure this doesn’t happen to other teachers,” Zahn stated.
She also highlighted how she was previously disciplined for anti-masking posts during the COVID-19 pandemic, which the school argued caused “disruption.” Zahn’s lawsuit calls that reasoning an excuse for punishing her political opinions.
Legal Arguments in the Complaint
The lawsuit argues that:
Any disruption was caused by outsiders disagreeing with her speech, not by her teaching.
The district lacks clear, viewpoint-neutral policies for handling situations like hers.
The discipline reflects viewpoint discrimination, not legitimate concerns about school operations.
What’s Next in the Case
Zahn’s legal team has filed the complaint in Minnesota District Court, though they have not commented further. The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools district has also declined to respond publicly. The case will now move forward in court, where a judge will weigh whether Zahn’s speech was protected under the First Amendment.
The case of Brooke Zahn raises important questions about free speech rights for teachers and the boundaries between personal expression and professional responsibilities.
While the school argues her posts caused disruption, Zahn maintains she was punished simply for expressing her private opinions outside of work. The outcome of this lawsuit could set an important precedent for educators across the country.
