Watertown school places employee on paid administrative leave after social media post; community calls for swift action

The Watertown City School District placed a non-instructional employee on paid administrative leave effective Sept. 14, 2025, after a district employee posted social media content that several speakers at the Sept. 11 board meeting described as celebrating the fatal shooting of commentator Charlie Kirk.

Members of the public pressed the board for a rapid and transparent response during the meeting’s public-comment period, and several asked whether the district would pursue further discipline or criminal referral. The board approved the paid administrative leave in a recorded resolution during the meeting.

The leave resolution, read aloud at the meeting, states: “Resolved that upon the recommendation of Dr. Larry Schmeichel, superintendent of schools, the paid administrative leave of a non-instructional employee, effective 09/14/2025, is hereby approved.” The board voted to approve the resolution during the meeting; the transcript records the…