A school board meeting in Maine descended into chaos earlier this week, as tensions flared between an attendee and a board member over controversial remarks made by a teacher regarding Charlie Kirk.
The incident, which nearly escalated into a physical altercation, unfolded during a Regional School Unit 67 meeting in Lincoln.
According to Gateway Pundit, social media influencer Tim Bodnar, known online as @TruthSlingerX, attended the meeting to express his dissatisfaction with the disciplinary action taken against a teacher. The teacher had been placed on leave following comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator.
Bodnar criticized the punishment as insufficient and openly condemned the teacher by name, prompting Board Chair Dianne Buck to repeatedly call for order with her gavel. "You can bang that all you want, lady," Bodnar retorted defiantly.
Despite a brief recess, Bodnar resumed his impassioned speech, rallying the audience with his demands for counseling for students affected by the teacher's remarks. "He can have free speech, he just cant have a job on taxpayer money!" Bodnar declared, earning applause from those present.
The situation intensified when board member Andrew Funaro intervened, leading to a heated exchange. Bodnar accused Funaro of cowardice, while Funaro defended the board's actions, stating, "Because shes doing the best she can, and you dont know what we think. We havent made a decision yet."
Bodnar, however, remained unswayed, criticizing the board's perceived inaction and urging for swifter decision-making.
The confrontation reached a boiling point when Funaro physically slapped Bodnar's phone from his hand, prompting police intervention to prevent further escalation. Following the incident, Bodnar announced on Friday that he had filed charges against Funaro for assault and battery.
The meeting, which highlighted the deep divisions and heightened emotions surrounding the issue, underscores the challenges faced by school boards in navigating contentious topics. As communities grapple with the implications of free speech and accountability, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for civil discourse and effective governance.
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