Maine school board brawl over teacher’s Charlie Kirk remarks ends with phone slap
Chaos erupts at RSU 67 meeting as activist confronts officials; a board member slaps a phone as police investigate
A Maine school board meeting in Regional School Unit 67 in Lincoln erupted in chaos when Tim Bodnar, known online as the “Truth-slinger,” confronted officials over remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. Bodnar accused the district of spreading “communist propaganda” and demanded swift action against a teacher who had made remarks about Kirk’s death. As Bodnar spoke, board chair Dianne Buck tried to restore order with her gavel, and Bodnar—wearing an American flag-themed outfit—called Buck a “foul, evil woman.” The livestream briefly cut out during the confrontation.
The pressure intensified when Regional School Unit 67 board member Andrew Funaro defended Buck, telling Bodnar not to insult the chair and saying that a teacher who celebrates political violence in the classroom should be fired. The moment escalated to a physical exchange when Funaro appeared to slap Bodnar’s phone from his hand, prompting police to intervene as the board adjourned the meeting by a show of hands.
RSU 67 serves Lincoln, Chester and Mattawamkeag in northern Maine, about 45 minutes north of Bangor. The district’s rules and the status of the employee at the center of the controversy were not publicly disclosed by RSU 67 on Thursday. Superintendent Chris Downing told families in a Sept. 12 letter that the district was reviewing the case involving an employee and was “carefully considering the next steps.” He added that the district “does not condone violence of any type” and that schools remain safe. The teacher has not been publicly identified by district officials.
Bodnar, who could not be reached for comment, later posted slow-motion footage of the phone slap on X, claiming Funaro “almost hit” him and blasting local officials. The Lincoln police chief told WABI that the incident is under investigation.
The district has said the teacher’s remarks were not publicly released and that no additional details about the review have been provided. The case comes as educators nationwide face probes and discipline tied to political remarks in schools. In New Jersey, fifth-grade teacher Elizabeth Clark resigned after a Facebook post about Kirk’s assassination that read, “Some people have to die – buh bye.”
RSU 67 covers Lincoln, Chester and Mattawamkeag, and the incident highlights the sensitive intersection of politics and schooling in small communities across the country.