KENOSHA, Wis. — The Indian Trail math teacher once allowed to keep his job after allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks and mocking a student with a “Heil Hitler” salute has now been fired following new allegations of racial misconduct.

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Ryan Nachtigal, who had previously faced a five-day suspension and mandatory cultural sensitivity training in 2024, was officially terminated by the Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education on April 16, 2025. The decision followed a special hearing where board members unanimously upheld the administration’s recommendation for dismissal.

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According to newly obtained records, Nachtigal was under investigation again in late March after three students reported he interrupted their private conversation about a choral conductor to ask, “Is she Black?” unprompted. The students said they were not discussing race and were visibly uncomfortable after Nachtigal made additional comments such as, “That’s how Black conductors act,” and retrieved a yearbook to show photos of a Black choir he said he once belonged to.

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One student told administrators they no longer felt safe in Nachtigal’s classroom.

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The district’s internal investigation confirmed Nachtigal made the statements and presented the yearbook. It also noted that he had been previously warned that any further misconduct could lead to termination. Nachtigal acknowledged the comments during the investigation and added that he had also been “speaking in tongues” while praying at his desk, despite being told not to do so in front of students.

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In the formal Statement of Charges, Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Weiss accused Nachtigal of insubordination, failure to comply with policy, and creating discord within the school environment. The board concluded that his conduct violated both his teaching contract and the KUSD Employee Handbook, establishing just cause for termination.

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Nachtigal exercised his right to a hearing and participated in the process, but the board found the administration’s case persuasive and terminated his employment effective immediately.

This latest development follows a string of incidents involving Nachtigal. In November 2023, KCE reported that he allegedly made anti-Semitic comments and blew a kiss toward a student inappropriately. Despite those allegations, KUSD chose not to remove him at the time. Then in February 2024, Nachtigal was suspended for performing a Nazi salute and shouting “Heil Hitler” at a student with a raised hand.

KUSD documents make clear that administrators considered this pattern of behavior when determining the consequences of the March 2025 incident.

Nachtigal was under contract through June 30, 2025, but the board’s action ended his employment early.

Kenosha County Eye will continue monitoring whether any formal license revocation proceedings are pursued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

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