Lake County Gazette

At a special meeting held Friday, Sept. 19, the Grass Lake School Board voted unanimously to terminate employee Cristina Monroy following public outrage over her social media post celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The vote to terminate Monroy, who served as Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Grass Lake School in Antioch, came just over a week after a social media post in which she declared she had “absolutely no empathy” for Kirk following his murder and referred to him as a “white nationalist mouthpiece.”

Allegations also surfaced that Monroy engaged in political activism online during school hours while being paid with taxpayer funds.Parents and community members argued her actions were in direct violation of Grass Lake’s own Policy 5:125, which makes such conduct grounds for dismissal.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request shared with the Lake County Gazette revealed that the Grass Lake School Board received dozens of emails and phone calls from community members expressing concern over Monroy’s Facebook post and questioning why she had not been immediately suspended after the matter was brought to the administration’s attention.

In one email addressed to Grass Lake School District 36 Superintendent Dr. William Newby and dated Sept. 11, Monroy documented a phone call she had received regarding the incident.

“I wanted to let you know that I received a call today from the number [redacted]. The caller stated, ‘How dare we employ Cristina Monroy,’ and mentioned that ‘her post is going viral.’ The caller then hung up,” Monroy wrote. 

Monroy was officially suspended from her role five days later on Sept. 16. Newby cited “a major disruption of the educational environment at Grass Lake School” as the reason for initiating the investigation and Monroy’s suspension.

“To investigate this issue in a manner that protects the integrity of the investigation and ensures the safety of the school, I am placing you on Paid Suspension until the investigation is complete,” the letter stated.

Monroy’s suspension was followed by a tense public meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, where members of the Chain O’ Lakes Patriots, local parents, community members and representatives from the Antioch Township Republicans filled the boardroom in a show of support.

Attendees said they gathered to honor Kirk’s memory as a husband, father and political figure, and to express concerns about ensuring students are protected from what they view as the promotion of political violence by school employees.

Some attendees noted they did not share Kirk’s political views but still chose to attend the meeting.

No speakers publicly defended Monroy during the session.

The only comment that could be interpreted as dissent came from a speaker who referenced the principle of “free speech.” In response, several audience members asserted that free speech does not protect individuals from the consequences of their words.

One of the more emotional moments came from former Lake County Board Member and Forest Preserve Commissioner Dick Barr, who described his son’s reaction upon learning of Kirk’s assassination. Barr said his son asked why anyone would celebrate such a tragedy, citing the emotional impact of Monroy’s Facebook post.

Another parent addressed the board to share her family’s experience moving into the district for its perceived values and educational reputation. She said recent events had caused her to question whether those values were still being upheld.

John Muellner, the 2026 Republican candidate for Lake County Board District 1, called for accountability and requested a moment of silence in honor of Kirk.

Antioch Township Republican Chair Mike O’Mara directed a similar call to Superintendent Newby, emphasizing that leadership requires courage and that the district’s credibility was at stake. He also requested a moment of silence for Kirk as part of his remarks.

Republican Committeeman Michael Scornavacco concluded the public comments by urging the board to take action, criticizing what he described as the risks of inaction.

“Instead of a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk, we will have a moment of noise,” Scornavacco said. He then asked the room to declare together, “I am Charlie Kirk.” 

The audience erupted in unison, filling the chamber with the chant, “I am Charlie Kirk.” 

The final unanimous vote to terminate Monroy came three days later, on Friday, Sept. 19.

“This board listened, and they did the right thing,” one attendee said after Friday’s vote. “When an employee openly celebrates the murder of an innocent man, husband and father, there is no place for that person in a school. Tonight’s decision puts the focus back where it belongs—on protecting kids and restoring trust.”