Cobb County School District teachers who appeared to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk in social media posts have been put on administrative leave, the district said Monday.
Parents complained about the posts and contacted the school district, according to a statement on Cobb’s website.
“These are incredibly rare instances and do not reflect the outstanding professionalism by the vast majority of Cobb educators daily,” the statement read. “Professional educators are expected to exercise sound judgment and professionalism in and outside the classroom.”
The district did not say how many people were put on leave.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed last week at an event hosted by Turning Point USA, the nonprofit political organization he cofounded to engage young conservatives. He was shot while on stage at Utah Valley University.
The shooting, which was recorded and posted on social media, prompted thousands to weigh in online about his death and legacy. Kirk was known for inviting people to debate him on controversial political topics.
Teachers across the country have reportedly faced disciplinary action for posting about Kirk on social media in the days after his death. Delta Air Lines suspended an unknown number of employees last week for posts that “went well beyond healthy, respectful debate,” according to the company’s CEO. And Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta confirmed one employee had been fired for “inappropriate comments” made online.
Cobb County, the state’s second-largest school system, said it will complete a thorough investigation, will report the comments to the state’s licensing board for teachers and will take “appropriate personnel action.”
“Posts that celebrate or support the murder of an innocent person by a school shooter are unprofessional and disruptive to the school environment,” the statement said.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
