Owensboro Public Schools officials are reviewing a situation involving a teacher’s social media comments following the death of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was the founder and president of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses. Kirk was shot and killed during Turning Point USA’s “The Comeback Tour” campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10.w
The teacher, who works in the Owensboro Public Schools district, left multiple comments on at least one Facebook post on Wednesday. The teacher’s account no longer appears on Facebook, but several screenshots of their comments have been shared by other users.
One comment reads: “Prayers didn’t work for he or the HS students….watcha got? More BS?”
Another reads: “His own words created this…No one else. Not the shooter, not the gun. His own words.”
In a statement to Owensboro Times, Owensboro Public Schools Director of Public Relations Jared Revlett said: “Our district is aware of social media posts from a district employee circulating online regarding the tragedy that took place yesterday in Orem, Utah. Words cannot express our deep sympathy for those who have been impacted by such a terrible act. While we cannot comment on personnel matters, the district is actively looking into the situation and it will be handled in accordance with District Policy.”
According to the OPS policy/procedure manual that OT accessed online, one of the policies regarding certified personnel addresses “Disrupting the Educational Process.”
According to that policy:
Any employee who participates in or encourages activities that disrupt the educational process, whether on school property or at school-sponsored events and activities, may be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of contract.
For purposes of this section, behavior which disrupts the educational process shall include, but not be limited to:
- Conduct that threatens the health, safety, or welfare of others;
- Conduct that may damage public or private property, including the property of students or staff;
- Illegal activity;
- Conduct that interferes with a student’s access to educational opportunities or programs, including ability to attend, participate in, and benefit from instructional and extracurricular activities; or
- Conduct that disrupts delivery of instructional services or interferes with the orderly administration of the school and school-related activities or District operations.
Other Claims
When a complaint is received that does not appear to be covered by this policy, administrators shall review other policies that may govern the allegations, including but not limited to, 09.422 and/or 03.162, which addresses harassment/discrimination allegations.
OPS has not yet indicated what, if any, disciplinary action might be taken. In a separate case, Middle Tennessee State University dismissed an employee for similar social media comments.
Multiple Tennessee and national news outlets have reported that Laura Sosh-Lightsy, who was an assistant dean at MTSU and whose Facebook page says she is originally from Owensboro, wrote: “Looks like ol’ Charlie spoke his fate into existence. Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy.”
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee released a statement Wednesday saying that Sosh-Lightsy had been fired.
McPhee’s statement reads: “An MTSU employee today offered inappropriate and callous comments on social media concerning the horrific and tragic murder of Charlie Kirk. The comments by this employee, who worked in a position of trust directly with students, were inconsistent with our values and have undermined the university’s credibility and reputation with our students, faculty, staff and the community at large. This employee has been fired effective immediately. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Kirk family.”
