BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Joanie Garratt, a veteran educator and former Advanced Placement U.S. History teacher at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS), has filed a wrongful termination claim against the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD), alleging that her dismissal was in retaliation for expressing personal political opinions on social media. Garratt, who retired from full-time teaching but returned as a substitute, contends that her termination violates her First Amendment rights and BHUSD’s own policies protecting employee expression.
The administrative claim, filed on Dec. 4, is a procedural precursor to a lawsuit and asserts that Garratt’s employment was terminated shortly after she posted on Facebook criticizing then-President-elect Donald Trump and detailing incidents of harassment on campus by pro-Trump students. Garratt’s attorney, V. James DeSimone, has described the district’s actions as “a blatant violation of her constitutional rights.”
Garratt, who holds degrees from UCLA and Harvard and had taught in the district for more than three decades, was on a one-month assignment preparing students for the AP U.S. History exam when her contract was abruptly terminated. According to the claim, Assistant Superintendent Matthew Horvath informed Garratt on Nov. 13, just six days after her Facebook post, that she would no longer be welcome back at BHHS.
Facebook Post Criticized Trump and Campus Conduct
Garratt’s post, made on Nov. 7, expressed her dismay at the behavior of a group of students holding a pro-Trump rally on campus the day after the 2016 presidential election. The students, according to the post, wore MAGA hats and banners while allegedly harassing peers, including members of the Black Student Union.
“I’m back at BHHS on a long-term assignment teaching AP U.S. History again. I enjoy it immensely & only sub when I can seriously teach,” Garratt wrote on her Facebook page. “I was, however, disheartened by a recent event on campus the day after the election. A MAGA faction… harassed & intimidated many other non-MAGA students and specifically targeted the class where the Black Student Union was meeting, yelling all kinds of racial slurs.”
The post continued: “This comes from their leader, His Majesty, King Trump.”
Though Garratt noted in her post that school administrators were addressing the issue, her public comments appear to have become the flashpoint for her termination.
The Fallout and Legal Claim
Garratt’s attorney argues that her dismissal was not only retaliatory but also contrary to BHUSD’s own policies, which stipulate that employees’ personal beliefs and lawful activities outside the workplace cannot be grounds for disciplinary action.
“Joanie was within her rights to express her opinions and views on her personal Facebook page as long as they did not create disruptions in the classroom,” DeSimone said. “There was no disruption in the classroom, and her students continued to learn and thrive.”
Garratt alleges that during her conversation with Horvath, she was provided no justification for her termination other than her Facebook post. In subsequent communications with the district, Garratt says her inquiries regarding her employment status have gone unanswered, leaving her marginalized and unsupported.
“This is devastating for Ms. Garratt but also harmful to her students, who are left wondering if they have a shot at their AP exam,” DeSimone added.
District’s Response and Policy Implications
Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy has denied the allegations of wrongful termination, asserting that Garratt’s status as a substitute teacher remains unchanged.
“BHUSD categorically denies the assertion that Ms. Garratt was terminated from her position,” Bregy stated. “Ms. Garratt retired from full-time teaching in BHUSD years ago and was serving and remains a substitute teacher in the district. No action was taken to dismiss her or any other employee in the last month.”
Bregy emphasized the district’s commitment to fostering respectful and accountable learning environments. “Our focus remains on fostering an educational environment where students and staff are respected and valued,” he said.
However, DeSimone countered that Garratt’s abrupt removal from her assignment constitutes an adverse employment action under the law, regardless of formal termination procedures.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
Garratt’s claim sheds light on the ongoing tensions between personal expression and professional responsibilities in public education. While free speech protections for educators remain a contentious legal area, BHUSD policy explicitly affirms that political expression outside the classroom is not grounds for punitive measures unless it violates the law or district regulations.
The incident has also highlighted concerns about the educational environment at BHHS in the wake of the contentious 2016 election. Reports from students and faculty referenced in Garratt’s claim describe a campus atmosphere fraught with racial tension and harassment, particularly targeting minority students and groups such as the Black Student Union.
As BHUSD has 45 days to respond to Garratt’s claim, her case raises questions about the limits of educators’ free speech and the balance between maintaining order in schools and respecting the rights of teachers.
Garratt is seeking damages for emotional distress, economic loss, and harm to her reputation. Whether the district’s response to her allegations will lead to a broader legal battle remains to be seen.
This case has sparked national conversations about the delicate line between personal expression and professional conduct for educators, particularly in a politically polarized climate.
