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 motion as carried but does not include a roll-call tally or names for each vote.

Several parents and community members said the district’s initial response was inadequate. Mandy Burt, who identified herself during public comment, said she was “here tonight to speak out against the actions or rather the inactions of district leadership” and criticized a perceived failure to publicly condemn the social-media post. “Free speech should not be equated to freedom from consequences,” Burt said.

Paula Fiestemal, a parent who asked for written responses to specific questions, urged the board to clarify whether district employees are covered by a social-media code of conduct and whether similar student posts would be treated the same way. “What I care about is her choice to publicly use crude, foul language to celebrate a man’s murder,” Fiestemal said. “Students deserve teachers that they can look up to.”

Other residents called for termination rather than a paid leave. Ingrid Bartlett described the post as “vile and disgusting” and asked whether the district would apply the same standards to employees as to students. “If students can get suspended from school for a controversial post on social media, then the same policy should apply to an educator,” Bartlett said.

School and board leaders said the district is following policy and law while an investigation proceeds. At the meeting, a district representative said the district had issued a public communication and that personnel matters were being handled consistent with district policy and New York State law. Dr. Larry Schmeichel, the district superintendent, told the board that administrative leave is accompanied by an investigation that can involve statements, legal consultation and, if necessary, law enforcement. He said timelines vary by case.

Board members repeatedly said protecting students is their top priority. Board member Randy Richardson said, “Violence or threats of violence, zero tolerance.” Several board members said they were working within the legal and contractual constraints that govern employment actions.

Speakers at the meeting asked for clearer, faster public updates and for a review of social-media and personnel policies. Several asked whether the board can pursue criminal referrals; district leaders said they consult law enforcement when appropriate but did not describe any referral in this case.

The board adjourned the public portion of the meeting after approving the administrative-leave resolution and moved into an executive session on matters that include personnel and potential disciplinary actions.

The paid administrative leave resolution is recorded in the meeting minutes and was approved by the board on Sept. 11, 2025. The district’s investigation was ongoing at the time of the meeting, and no further personnel actions were announced publicly that night.