Stender comments cited in lawsuit

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, Creston teacher Melisa Crook is suing the school district for violation of her first amendment rights after the school board accepted Superintendent Deron Stender’s recommendation for her termination on Sept. 30.

The termination stems from an incident Sept. 10 in which Crook commented on a family member’s Facebook post about right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s death, saying, “He is a terrible human being… terrible. I do not wish death on anyone, but he him not being here is a blessing.”

According to the lawsuit, Stender asked Crook what she meant by “blessing.”

“I repeatedly explained that my meaning and intent was not that the killing of Charlie Kirk was a ‘blessing’ or that he was ‘gone’ was a blessing, but that his statements and ideology was extremely harmful to people in my family whom I love dearly, and to my students and colleagues who were also members of the LGBTQ+ community. The ‘blessing,’ I explained, was those members of the LGBTQ+ community, my students, friends and loved ones, may feel some peace if the attacks by Charlie Kirk were to cease,” the lawsuit stated.

Several days later, Stender told Crook he had received 111 emails and 140 phone calls. “He said ‘the vast majority’ of those contacts were either ‘asking for my termination or requesting that their children be removed from my class.’”

In the end, Stender concluded the comment violated Board Policy 401.14 - Employee Expression.

“Employees who use social media platforms are encouraged to remember that the school community may not be able to separate employees as private citizens, from their role within the district,” the policy states. “Employee expression on social media platforms that interferes with the district’s operations or prevents the district from functioning efficiently and effectively may be subject to discipline up to and including termination.”

In 43 pages of screenshots, Crook cites examples of Stender and Board President Don Gee making politically controversial posts without repercussion, including Stender calling Biden voters “snowflakes” and commenting “this guy like most liberals lack intellectual capacity and Trump lives rent free in that space.”

When confronted about these posts, Stender said, “This is my personal account and reflects my thoughts, view and opinions.”

In the lawsuit, Crook states, “fear my termination is motivated not by just cause but by political partisanship and the desire to silence my speech.”

The lawsuit also cites posts from Gee saying “Play stupid games win stupid prizes,” over the expulsion of a college student because of her comments on Kirk.

Crook requested a termination hearing which the school district has scheduled for Oct. 21.

She has worked for the district since 2022 as a high school English teacher and a coach to the Peppers, the high school dance team.