A high school teacher in Rhode Island, who faced administrative leave for sharing a video that mocked the assassination of Charlie Kirk and labeled him “trash,” will be returning to the classroom despite being found in violation of school district policy.
Benjamin Philo, a social studies instructor at Barrington High School, has communicated via email that he plans to resume teaching. An email from Fox News supports this.
Barrington Public Schools Interim Superintendent Bob Mitchell acknowledged in his email that Philo breached the district’s social media guidelines but confirmed he would be back in the classroom.
“The teacher at the center of the independent investigation is set to return on December 1st,” Mitchell stated.
The Barrington School Committee reported that an inquiry led by a third-party attorney with expertise in First Amendment issues and school policy concluded that Philo’s actions violated social media rules and caused considerable disruption.
After the assassination of Kirk on September 10, Philo shared a video insinuating that he “almost feels sorry for Charlie Kirk,” while claiming incorrectly that Kirk is against the “LGBTQ community, women’s rights, and democracy.”
In the video, Philo labels Kirk as “trash” and seems to imply that conservative figures being targeted is expected when they speak at colleges.
The teacher, who was placed on leave after the video’s circulation, ended it with a cheerful “Goodbye, Charlie.”
According to Breitbart News, students at Barrington High responded by establishing their own Turning Point USA chapter.
Mitchell recognized the controversy surrounding Philo’s video, stating, “It’s evident that our district has been caught in a national debate for the past two months.”
He also shifted the focus, arguing that students and community members are facing online hostility, which creates a “challenging and distracting educational atmosphere.”
To enhance safety, Mitchell mentioned that measures have been intensified. “We want our students, families, and staff to feel safe as we work to maintain the district’s achievements,” he added.
A spokesperson for the school district informed Fox News that they’re coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure community safety.
“Due to the attention this issue has received, all incoming messages are closely monitored, and any concerns are addressed with law enforcement. Safety is our highest concern,” she said.
The spokesperson also recognized that “some families might wish to discuss their students’ needs” with administrators, assuring support would be provided as needed.
Furthermore, the district encouraged students to access counseling services.
“We understand that community members hold diverse and strong opinions. We remain dedicated to assisting all Barrington students and their families while prioritizing safety and stability,” the spokesperson remarked.
On another note, the Barrington School Committee highlighted concerns about potential backlash from the teachers’ union, expressing reluctance to face the “financial consequences” of a possible lawsuit.
“The National Education Association has indicated it may pursue litigation aggressively against school districts, as well as individual administrators, if it views district actions as unsatisfactory,” the committee noted.
“The financial ramifications of such lawsuits could reach hundreds of thousands, jeopardizing our ability to recruit and retain effective leadership during this critical time,” they stated.
Parent Heather Ryan, whose child is a ninth-grader at Barrington High, expressed her disappointment regarding Philo’s reinstatement.
“It is disheartening to see a teacher violate multiple school regulations and return after paid leave,” Ryan said. “Celebrating political assassinations is alarming and deserves no praise.”
“My family and I are quite upset, yet we recognize the influence of leftist unions and groups threatening personal attacks on the district officials,” she added.
