A resolution was reached with an Ellsworth Community School District teacher after fallout from a social media post about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10.

Kirk, a founder of Turning Point USA, was shot at an event at Utah Valley University.

Ellsworth High School math teacher Krista Lesiecki was one of many public employees nationwide who faced calls from the community and across the country for their termination. In Lesiecki’s situation, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien), who represents western Wisconsin and Ellsworth, demanded she be fired or the community would lose federal funding.

Lesiecki has already raised more than $12,500 in a GoFundMe she organized to fight for her First Amendment rights, according to the website.

ECSD Superintendent Brian Nadeau released a statement on the district’s Facebook page that did not confirm Lesiecki’s termination, but her contact information has been removed from the district website. He told The Journal Friday he can’t comment on the matter. Here’s the full statement:

“We want to thank our students, staff, families, and community members for your patience as we followed due process in our investigation regarding a social media post made by an employee. The investigation is now complete, and this will be our final comment on the matter.

“We want to be clear: the post in question does not reflect the mission, values, or beliefs of the Ellsworth Community School District. Any suggestion otherwise is simply not accurate.

“We recognize that there is a range of perspectives regarding how situations like this should be handled. While we uphold the right to free speech, we also recognize that this right comes with responsibilities—especially when it affects the learning environment or disrupts the safe, respectful atmosphere we are committed to maintaining in our schools.

“At the heart of every decision we make is one core priority: our students. Their well-being, safety, and success are the reasons we are here and will always guide our actions.

“Thank you for your continued support of our school community.”

The Leseicki-ECSD situation put the community in the national spotlight, with social media posts logging more than a million views. The Washington Post wrote an article on the matter last week.

Many community members posted on the school district post, looking for more information on the resolution.

Lesiecki posted on her GoFundMe page Thursday, Sept. 25 that “A resolution with the district has been signed. I still love teaching. I don’t know what I’ll do now. I am considering all options. I am still upset that Van Orden has used his sway and power to silence free speech.”

Leseicki started teaching in Ellsworth in 2023. She has taught more than 30 years.

Her post that ignited the firestorm came the afternoon of the Kirk shooting: “He said deaths are worth it for the second amendment. He spewed hate.

“I disagree with his comment and essentially everything he stood for. But if you liked what he stood for, then you can’t be upset that he died. He fulfilled his destiny.”

She has apologized for the post and putting Ellsworth in a bad light.

“I’ve had lots of time to reflect and continue to feel bad for the spotlight I placed on the district.

“I got caught up in the media (network and social). I take full responsibility for what I posted. I did not and do not celebrate gun violence whether it was Charlie Kirk or school children. But my words were certainly not kind,” she posted.

Lesiecki wrote that teachers shouldn’t be silenced in their personal time.

“You may not agree with what I said. Honestly, my intent was never to hurt the community I teach in. I got caught up in the rhetoric and hypocrisy of some trying to paint someone as a martyr. I actually believe he should have a right to say what he wants, even if I disagree with it.

“I am sorry. I just want to teach. My students know that I have a passion for teaching math that is unrivaled. 

“Even if you disagree with what I said or how I said it, we cannot let go of the First Amendment. My son reminded me that this was the most important Amendment, that's why it came first.”