Triton Central teacher goes on leave, to retire in wake of controversial posts involving Charlie Kirk

Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM

By Johnny McCrory

A longtime Triton Central Spanish teacher will no longer teach in the school system.

Michael Buck has been on paid administrative leave since last week pending action by the Northwestern Consolidated School Board following controversial remarks involving the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Following an executive session on Wednesday the board met in an open special session and took public comment from a few of the residents on hand before rendering a decision.

All of the residents who addressed the board were of one mind - wanting Buck removed from his position teaching in the district. And most stated their feelings go beyond the Charlie Kirk comments that triggered the latest controversy.

Superintendent Chris Hoke’s recommendation to the board included approval of a request from Buck to take leave from his position for the remainder of the school year to be followed by his official retirement from his teaching post at the end of the school year.

The recommendation was approved unanimously by the board.

Board President Brooke Lockett read a prepared statement near the end of Wednesday's special session.

Superintendent Hoke says classes will now be handled by the Indiana Online Academy while the position is posted. A substitute teacher will be in the classroom to locally manage students and the online class.

Meanwhile, the position will be posted as with any teaching vacancy. Hoke says if they can fill the post during the upcoming winter break, in time for second semester, they will look to do so.