Supreme Court Rejects Appeal by Former Hanover High Teacher

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HANOVER - The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of Kari MacRae, a former Hanover High School teacher who sued Hanover Public Schools claiming she was unconstitutionally fired over her personal social media activity.

MacRae had sought monetary damages from the district and school officials, alleging her termination violated the First Amendment. But the Supreme Court's refusal to take up her case leaves in place lower court rulings that found no constitutional violation occurred.

MacRae, who taught math and business at Hanover High, was fired about a month after being hired. School officials cited concern over her social media activity, specifically six controversial memes she had posted to her TikTok account before being hired, that touched on topics including gender identity, racism, and immigration.

In her termination letter, school officials wrote that "continuing your employment in light of your social media posts would have a significant negative impact on student learning" at the school.

MacRae filed suit against the school district, principal Matthew Mattos, and Superintendent Matthew Ferron, claiming they had retaliated against her for speech protected under the U.S. Constitution. However, a federal judge ruled in 2023 that the district had sufficiently demonstrated the potential for disruption in the school environment to justify the termination. The judge also concluded that the officials were protected by qualified immunity.

On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit upheld that ruling, applying the Garcetti framework. The court found that while MacRae’s posts involved matters of public concern, the school district’s interest in maintaining a disruption-free learning environment took precedence. The court noted that the timing of the posts, their viral spread, and the controversy they generated supported the district’s prediction of disruption.

MacRae is currently a candidate in the 2026 election for the Massachusetts State Senate in the Plymouth & Barnstable District.

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