The president of the Charles City School Board has issued a statement regarding the backlash over a social media post by one of the school district’s teachers.
At issue is the teacher’s Facebook post last week related to the Charlie Kirk assassination. That prompted State Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City, Chairman of the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee, to reach out to Superintendent Brian Burnight for what he termed “appropriate action.”
Last Friday (09.12), Burnight issued a statement that the district is reviewing the matter under its established policies and procedures. He noted that the employee has since removed the post and, because it is considered a personnel matter, they cannot discuss specific details, but stressed “all necessary actions” are being taken.
Wednesday (09.17), School Board President Bruce Koebrick also posted a Facebook message regarding the situation, which reads:
As an elected member of the Charles City School board, currently seated as president I have decided to publicly make comment on recent events involving a member of our faculty. I apologize if it gets long winded, just want to cover what I can.
As of this mornings discussions with Dr. Burnight and myself here is the professional update/statement I will share:
“We want to assure you that we’re taking this issue seriously. We understand that any loss of life is a profound tragedy, and we do not condone any statements that minimize this reality. The district is actively reviewing the situation in accordance with our established policies and procedures. We recognize the importance of balancing an employee’s First Amendment rights with our need to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students. This includes a review of whether the employee’s expression created a significant disruption to our schools or classrooms, as our policies are designed to address such impacts. The employee has removed the post from social media within a few hours of the district being informed, and we are following all appropriate steps.
As this is a confidential personnel matter, we cannot legally comment on the specifics of the actions taken. However, please be assured that we are committed to upholding our policies while respecting the legal rights of our employees. Our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students and staff is unwavering. We appreciate your patience and trust as we work through this matter with the care and diligence it deserves.”
Additionally, I can share our discussions looking forward. Things we are committed to working on further and at a deeper level include:
– Evaluation of the employee handbook
– Evaluations of board policies primarily regarding, but not limited to social media and public interaction
– Communication of policies and procedures with staff and the community as a whole.
– Training for staff from the Board of Education on proper social media etiquette standards, and practices.
A LOT of the conversations we have had amongst staff, leadership, parents and community members have revolved around a few common themes.
– Student AND staff safety and well-being
– Politics and personal beliefs have no place in education. “Teach the facts and information, but no one should know which side you’re on”
– Freedom of Speech and Expression in relationship to stands and expectations.
I have personally taken many calls, text, emails, private messages, and meetings. As well as a number of messages directed to me through my wife, family, and friends. Conversations of all varieties. I will gladly welcome them all, so long as they are respectful of my time and my family. Please no midnight phone calls and please try not to scream at me in a grocery store in front of my kids.
On a very personal level, not to be confused with the position of the school board or school district. These are very difficult and tense conversations on both sides. All brought about by a shift in society to become a reactionary culture of left and rights with no in between sense of compromise. Up until recently I had not heard of our community referred to based on a political “lean”. WE were a “small town”. WE were a “rural farm community”
I hate to put this bluntly, but screw all the politics… “WE ARE CC!”
