In a classroom structured around argumentation and the ability to balance differing perspectives, Speech and Debate coach and communications teacher Colton Gilbert responded to a student’s question in his Debate I class. Following that discussion, he was reported for talking about controversial topics, resulting in an administrative action which left his six classes without a steady instructor or curriculum for five weeks.

Gilbert’s students alternated between having a substitute, going to another teacher’s room, or sitting in the auditorium. Junior Daven Sharma said he was confused at the circumstance, as everything he knew about his teacher’s absence was based on rumor. 

“We didn’t know what was going on or his situation… And then, all of a sudden, our classes got integrated with Dr. [Rosie Valdez] Block’s on the fourth floor,” Sharma said. “Sometimes we would go to her, but sometimes we wouldn’t know.”

This miscommunication did not only impact the students’ lunch schedule, but also their attendance. Freshman Jimmy Smith, who is in both Gilbert’s Freshman Seminar and Debate I classes, explains that her peers were mistakenly marked absent on multiple occasions. 

“Kids would assume they were in first lunch because that’s what Dr. Block had us doing,” Smith said. “But if they didn’t know there was a sub—which we only knew through word of mouth—some subs would count people absent because they accidentally went to first lunch.”

Gilbert’s absence also impacted the Speech and Debate program because the team had to compete without the direction of one of their coaches. 

“While he was gone, there were three different debate tournaments,” Smith said. “One of [Gilbert’s] best debaters scored way lower compared to what she normally does.” 

While students floated from room to room during those five weeks, they did not know the reason for Gilbert’s unexpected absence. However, it was later revealed that his leave was a result of a conversation in one of his debate classes about the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, Sept. 10. 

“I wasn’t planning to talk about [him], but the question was asked, and I felt like it was my educational responsibility to entertain it because I teach a debate class,” Gilbert said.

He believed that the topic would bring differing viewpoints, creating a multi-dimensional discussion for students to learn from one another. 

“We talked about him in general,” Gilbert said. “We had a conversation about the different versions of [Kirk] that people knew. Some people only knew him as the Christian family guy, some people only knew him as the podcaster or debater, and some people only knew him from the very negative things he said about certain individuals.” 

However, this 10-12 minute discussion was the reason Gilbert was reported; as a public school employee, his rights to free speech are not protected in the classroom. 

“It might be difficult to have these conversations … because someone could argue that you’re being political; that’s where the district is hitting me,” Gilbert said. “They said that the conversation, as I entertained it, allowed the children to know my political beliefs.”

Because the complaint was sent directly to a district administrator, the situation was out of Principal Nancy Rousseau’s control. September 15, Gilbert was sent home during his third block class. Later, district officials came to campus and interviewed 36 of his students over a period of two weeks; Gilbert himself was interviewed Oct. 1. He returned to teaching Oct. 20—exactly five weeks after he was sent home with paid leave. 

“It was rough being gone for five weeks. Sometimes I would look up at the clock and be like, ‘Oh my God, they’re in second block. What are they doing?’” Gilbert said. 

During that time, he was not permitted to interact with his students or manage any classroom responsibilities. 

“I wasn’t allowed to post assignments. I wasn’t allowed to grade anything. I couldn’t respond to parents who emailed me. I couldn’t do all the 504 or IEP paperwork. Like, literally, my classes were shut down,” Gilbert said.

The district administrators made a recommendation to the LRSD School Board on disciplinary action, which Gilbert then appealed. He said the district originally proposed to give him an additional three day suspension without pay, or retroactively withhold three days of pay. However, after a one-on-one meeting with Superintendent Jermall Wright, Gilbert instead walked away with a written reprimand that will go in his employee file. 

While on leave awaiting the board’s decision, Gilbert said he reflected on the situation and now questions the message it conveys. 

“[My leave] gave me a lot of time to think,” Gilbert said. “In a class like debate, which is supposed to foster a marketplace of ideas, a diversity of thought, and an understanding of other people’s viewpoints—even if you don’t agree—I think [the board’s action] severely hinders that, and I think it sets a very chilling tone for other teachers.”

The Arkansas New Voices Act of 2019 provides first amendment protection for students. However, it does not protect teachers.