Teacher’s Disturbing Social Media Remarks Draw Community Outrage
In a troubling display of unprofessional conduct, Naples Central School District physics and robotics teacher Patrick Freivald has been placed on administrative leave following his deeply disturbing social media posts celebrating the attempted assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from parents, community members, and school officials alike, highlighting the increasingly blurred lines between educators’ personal expression and professional responsibilities in today’s polarized political climate.
The posts in question, which appeared on Freivald’s personal Facebook page, mockingly described Kirk being “interrupted by a bullet to the neck” and contained the callous statement “Good riddance to bad garbage.” The teacher’s commentary went further, employing macabre wordplay through footnotes that clarified “*high-velocity lead deficiency” and making Nazi references. Perhaps most disturbing was an image Freivald shared of himself wearing a shirt reading “IS HE DEAD YET?” – a shocking display from someone entrusted with educating young people. Naples Superintendent Kevin Swartz responded swiftly, addressing families in an email that acknowledged community “concerns and outrage” while assuring parents that “a formal investigation is underway” and confirming the teacher’s placement on administrative leave pending the outcome.
This incident doesn’t appear to be an isolated lapse in judgment for Freivald. In August, the tenured teacher reportedly boasted about his job security while using inflammatory language against political opponents, stating: “I have tenure and seniority in the strongest union in the strongest union state in the country and they only have to put up with me for seven more years.” Such remarks raise serious questions about whether Freivald’s personal political animosities might influence his classroom conduct and whether his controversial views have been expressed to students. His apparent confidence in employment protection despite public behavior that many would deem unprofessional has become a focal point for those concerned about accountability in education.
Beyond his teaching career, Freivald has cultivated an identity as a horror novelist with several published works and a small business selling specialty honey products. His literary pursuits include zombie fiction and dark fantasy, with titles like “Twice Shy” and “Murmur” exploring supernatural themes. On his author blog, Freivald has defended controversial writing, even expressing pleasure when his work causes “umbrage, offense, even outrage” – an artistic philosophy that, while perhaps appropriate in creative fiction, raises questions about its compatibility with the responsibilities of a high school educator. His comfort with provocative expression in his creative endeavors appears to have carried over into his social media presence in ways that many community members find deeply troubling.
The school district’s response reflects the seriousness with which they’re treating this matter. Superintendent Swartz’s communication to families acknowledged the community’s reaction while emphasizing that “all of your voices have been heard,” suggesting a recognition of the potential breach of trust between the school system and the families it serves. This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing national debate about the responsibilities of educators on social media and the appropriate boundaries between personal expression and professional conduct. While teachers certainly retain First Amendment rights, the question of whether celebrating violence against political figures crosses a line that impacts one’s fitness to teach remains contentious.
The situation in Naples is unfortunately not unique in today’s polarized climate. Similar controversies have erupted nationwide as educational institutions grapple with determining appropriate responses to educators’ inflammatory social media posts. These incidents force communities to confront difficult questions about free speech, professional ethics, and the example adults should set for young people. For the Naples community, the incident has become a flashpoint for broader discussions about values, respect for human life regardless of political differences, and the standards to which they hold those teaching their children. As the investigation proceeds, the district faces the challenging task of balancing due process for their employee with their responsibility to maintain a learning environment where all students feel respected and safe.
