NOTE: The meeting location for the upcoming school board meeting on Wednesday has changed. The updated address is at Oshkosh West High School (375 N Eagle St. in Oshkosh) in the Alberta Kimball Auditorium. Doors open at 5:30 pm. The agenda asks that you enter through doors 29 and 30.
Dear Friends,
The next Oshkosh Area School District Board is meeting on Wednesday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m. at 215 S. Eagle St. in Oshkosh. This is a critical opportunity to show support for Brian Phelps, a teacher at Oshkosh West High School, especially if you live in the Oshkosh Area School District. Mr. Phelps needs community support after he made a personal Facebook post about Charlie Kirk.
We believe strongly that Mr. Phelps’ speech was made as a private citizen, outside his professional duties, and did not disrupt his role as a teacher. He did not break any Oshkosh Area School District Policies. Students, parents, and community members consistently describe him as a safe and trusted presence in the classroom who never pushed political views. Removing him would undermine both teacher free speech and the safe learning environments he built.
Ways you can help:
1.) Write an email to our school board members before the meeting on September 24.
2.) Attend the board meeting and show your support in person.
3.) Sign up to speak during public comment at the meeting and share your points.
4.) Share this information with your trusted friends and community partners.
Below are possible talking points for emails or public comments that support Mr. Phelps and align with School District Policies:
Protected Speech: Mr. Phelps’ Facebook post was outside his job duties. Legal and district policy protect employee speech on matters of public concern if it does not disrupt school operations or violate confidentiality.
No Classroom Impact: Students report that Mr. Phelps never brought personal politics into class. He is known as a supportive and neutral teacher who respects every student’s viewpoint.
Positive Record: Testimonies from students and parents describe him as “one of the safe teachers” and an educator who had a lasting impact.
Community Trust: Firing a teacher for lawful personal expression undermines public trust and discourages open dialogue.
Precedent: Punishing a teacher for private speech sets a dangerous standard that could chill free expression across the district.
Current Events Are Public Concern: Mr. Phelps commented on a current news event, which is exactly the kind of public discourse the First Amendment is designed to protect.
Personal Platform: His comments were made on his personal social media page, not a school-sponsored platform, and were clearly outside the scope of his employment.
Civic Engagement: Teachers should be allowed to participate in community conversations on current events without fear of losing their jobs.
Educational Value: A district benefits when its educators remain engaged with society and model responsible civic participation, even outside the classroom.
Consistency: If every comment on current events outside of work were grounds for termination, the district would be applying an impossible standard to its staff.
Fairness: District employees, like all citizens, should not face punishment for lawful speech that does not interfere with their ability to teach.
Role Clarity: The distinction between personal life and professional duties is clear. Teachers should not be penalized for lawful, personal activity that does not cross into their teaching role.
Safe Environment Proof: Multiple students have testified that Mr. Phelps never mixed politics with teaching and created a classroom environment rooted in respect and learning.
Precedent of Protection: Courts have consistently recognized that commentary on political or social issues, even when controversial, is protected speech if it does not impair an employee’s ability to perform their duties.
No Harm to Students: There is no evidence of disruption in the school community or harm to students as a result of his private comments.
Teacher Morale: Disciplining Mr. Phelps for private speech risks creating a chilling effect, making other teachers afraid to speak out on issues of public concern.
Community Standards: Parents and community members have spoken in support of Mr. Phelps’ impact as a teacher. Ignoring those voices damages trust between the district and the community.
Consistency with District Mission: Supporting Mr. Phelps aligns with the district’s stated commitment to fostering critical thinking, respect, and civic participation.
Your voice matters! Please consider writing, attending, or speaking on Sept. 24. Together, we can show the board that Brian Phelps’ record as an educator and his right to free speech deserves respect.
In pride and love,
Oshkosh Pride Team
OshkoshPride.com | OshkoshPrideInc@gmail.com
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 
You must be logged in to post a comment.