Posey

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background

Posey, an employee of the School District assigned as a “security specialist” to Sandpoint High School, believed the School District’s safety and emergency policies were inade- quate. In November 2002, Posey met with Sandpoint Princi- pal Jim Soper to express his concerns about student discipline and safety issues, including ongoing drug and weapons viola- tions and Posey’s feeling that his hands were tied in enforcing school policies. Soper did not respond directly to Posey’s expression of concern, and Posey became increasingly uneasy about security and safety issues throughout the following school years.

Posey’s disquiet eventually led him, in October 2003, to compose and deliver a lengthy letter to School District Chief Administrative Officer Steve Battenschlag, with whom Posey had a friendly relationship. The letter was copied to Superin- tendent Mark Berryhill and two other school administrators, Kathy Chambers and Todd Reed. It complained in general and specific terms about both personal grievances and what Posey perceived to be inadequate safety and security policies at the high school. With respect to…