The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) is representing an Iowa parent with respect to a potential defamation lawsuit after she, a newly naturalized citizen from the Dominican Republic, spoke at a public school board meeting about her concerns regarding certain curricula and instructional materials used in her son’s classroom.
What Happened: Our client, Mrs. Elayne Casalins, first addressed her concerns about the curricula and instructional materials with her son’s teacher, the school principal and the superintendent. She went to the school board because no action was taken after she explained her concerns to the teacher, principal, and superintendent. She then spoke at a June 19, 2025, Belmond-Klemme Community School Board meeting to make objections to the instructional materials used in her son’s classroom and the lack of notice she was given as a parent.
She reported to the school board that a teacher made the students watch the PG-13 movie “Till” without any parental notice or consent — even though many students, including her son, were only 12 years old. She further reported that there was a discussion of Black Lives Matter, racism, and police brutality all without parental notification or consent.
Mrs. Casalins’s comments to the school board were intended to address three issues: (1) in her opinion the curricula she objected to violated Iowa state law (Iowa Code § 279.74), (2) she believed that she was denied her statutory right to object to the curricula and instructional materials, and (3) to object to the materials after the fact under School Board Policy 605.3, and to ask that their future use be reconsidered.
Following her comments, Mrs. Casalins received a threatening letter from Boles Witosky Stewart Law PLLC firm demanding that she “cease-and-desist” any public discussion regarding this matter of public concern, namely controversial curricula and instructional materials used at the Belmond-Klemme Community School. The letter was sent on behalf of the teacher employed by the school district.
Why WILL is Getting Involved: On behalf of Mrs. Casalins, we reject the legal arguments and demands made in the threat to sue her. We believe that the U.S Constitution and Iowa law protect her ability to petition her local school board regarding matters relating to her son’s education. As a parent, she has the right to direct the upbringing and education of her son.
Mrs. Casalins objected to the curricula taught and the instructional materials used in her son’s classroom and told the school board about her concerns. She has made no defamatory statement, and she will not refrain from continuing to object to the curricula and instructional materials she described in her presentation. She will continue to pursue her rights under the Iowa statutes and under School Board Policy 605.3.
The Quotes: WILL Education Counsel, Cory Brewer, stated, “Mrs. Casalins had and continues to have a First Amendment right, and the right under Iowa law, to speak on this critical subject and to petition her government (the school board) for relief. We think it is crucial for parents to be free to direct their children’s upbringing and education and not be prevented from doing so by threats of a claim for defamation.”
WILL Client, Elayne Casalins, stated, “As a new American citizen, I have constitutional rights that make this nation the envy of the world. There is no better place to live your life and raise a family, and we moved to Iowa to live in a state that upholds these fundamental American values. I was shocked to receive such a threatening letter from a law firm representing a public employee, my son’s teacher. But I will continue to tell my story and speak out for my son and the rights of parents across the country.”
About WILL: We litigate, educate and participate in public discourse. Our case categories include Individual Liberties, Equality Under the Law, Constitutional Government and the Rule of Law, Economic Freedom, and Education Reform. We have prevailed in nearly 80% of the matters we have undertaken. Our record of winning is indisputable. WILL’s winning reputation has allowed us to settle other matters without ever filing a lawsuit. Our track record serves as a disincentive for those who would like to expand government bureaucracy and limit our freedoms.
Read More:
- Response Letter, August 2025
Cory Brewer
Education Counsel