Fired Principal Lacks First Amendment Claim for Unprotected Speech

An Illinois middle school principal discharged after charging her predecessor and immediate supervisor with misusing public funds lacks a First Amendment retaliation claim because she spoke as an employee on matters related to her job rather than as a citizen on matters of public concern, as per the 7th Circuit's ruling on Jan. 31, 2013. ruled ( McArdle v. Peoria Sch. Dist. No. 150, 7th Cir., No. 11-2437, 1/31/13 ).

This case demonstrates how narrow First Amendment protections for public employees has become.

Mitchell H. Rubinstein