A high school teacher in Lincoln, Maine, has been dismissed following comments he made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision by the Regional School Unit 67 board came during a meeting on December 17, 2025, after months of deliberation and public outcry.
Derek Brewer, a social studies instructor at Mattanawcook Academy, faced backlash after expressing indifference towards Kirk’s death during a classroom session on September 11, 2025. According to board Chair Rebbecca Hanscom, Brewer stated, “he didn’t care that Charlie Kirk died” and found it “ironic” that Kirk was shot, referencing a video in which Kirk suggested that some gun deaths are acceptable to uphold the Second Amendment.
This incident quickly escalated, drawing ire from parents and students within the community. On September 12, a day after Brewer’s remarks, a group of parents confronted school officials, demanding his termination. The situation prompted police intervention, as tensions ran high and nearly 100 students reported unexcused absences or left school early in protest. Some parents subsequently chose to withdraw their children from the district to pursue homeschooling options.
During the board meeting, Hanscom emphasized the violation of district policy, stating, “Mr. Brewer used his classroom as a personal forum to express his political views not related to the curriculum.” She added that his comments were “upsetting to a substantial segment of Mr. Brewer’s students” and resulted in significant disruption within the school community.
The board’s unanimous vote to terminate Brewer’s employment came after a particularly contentious meeting that led to the resignation of one board member. Hanscom concluded, “Mr. Brewer is unfit to teach, and his services are unprofitable to RSU 67,” announcing that he was dismissed effective immediately.
Despite his firing, Brewer remained listed on the staff directory of the Mattanawcook Academy’s webpage as of the following Tuesday. Attempts to reach Brewer for comments were unsuccessful.
The incident has raised broader questions regarding the role of educators in expressing personal political beliefs within the classroom, especially in the wake of emotionally charged events. As the school community continues to process the fallout, the board’s decision underscores the challenges of navigating political discourse in educational settings.
