POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsCreative Loafing TampaAugust 19, 2026Hillsborough

Administrative judge recommends reinstatement and back pay for Lee County teacher fired over social media comments

An administrative law judge has recommended that the Lee County School District reinstate a teacher who was fired for social media comments made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The judge concluded that the teacher should receive back pay for the period of her suspension and termination.

educationemploymentlegalsocial media
Read the full story at Creative Loafing Tampa

Why It Matters

This recommendation impacts the employment status and financial compensation of a public school educator and highlights the legal standards regarding the free speech rights of public employees on social media.

Key Facts

  • Judge Andrew Manko recommended that Mariah Roller be reinstated to her teaching position.
  • The judge recommended that Mariah Roller receive back pay for the time she was suspended and fired.
  • The firing was originally based on a Facebook post made by Roller regarding the death of Charlie Kirk.
  • The case was heard by the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.
  • The recommendation is not a final court order but a formal finding by an administrative judge.

Who's Mentioned

organizationLee County School Board“The governing body that terminated the teacher.”organizationDivision of Administrative Hearings“The state body where the legal challenge was heard.”organizationLee County School District“The employer that fired the teacher.”personAnastasios Kamoutsas“Former Education Commissioner who initiated investigations into teacher social m”personCharlie Kirk“Conservative activist whose death was the subject of the teacher's social media ”personJodi-Ann Livingstone“DOAH judge who presided over the Theobald case.”personMariah Roller“Teacher at Three Oaks Middle School who was fired for a social media post.”personAndrew Manko“Division of Administrative Hearings Judge who issued the recommendation.”personMatthew Theobald“Martin County teacher involved in a similar disciplinary case.”