Effingham Unit 40 board hears public concern over employee's social media post referencing Charlie Kirk
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Summary
A resident raised concerns about a social media post by a district library clerk that he said celebrated the death of commentator Charlie Kirk; the board read a written statement citing First Amendment protections and said it had consulted legal counsel. No disciplinary action was announced.
Don Husky, a local resident, told the Effingham Unit 40 Board of Education on Oct. 20 that a social media post by a district employee was offensive and required accountability.
"It is the Mount Everest of red flags," Husky said of the post, which he described as large, in red type, showing the employee's name and likeness and using language he found celebratory of violence. Husky identified the employee by name in his remarks and said she is a library clerk, not the librarian.
The board read a written statement prepared on its behalf that acknowledged community concern while emphasizing legal limits on discipline for off-duty speech. "As a public institution, we are bound by the First Amendment," the statement read, and it cited Supreme Court precedent including Pickering v. Board of Education and Connick v. Myers. The statement said available facts indicate the post was made on a personal account outside work hours and did not reference the school district, and that district counsel advised such speech is protected unless it causes substantial disruption to school operations.
Superintendent (name not specified in the meeting transcript) told the board the district has consulted with the employee and discussed expectations for anyone representing Unit 40. "I think we have addressed the situation at this point, and I know everyone understands now the expectations we have of anyone representing Unit 40," the superintendent said.
No formal disciplinary action was announced at the Oct. 20 meeting. The board's written statement said the district may revisit the matter if additional facts surface, and that constitutional protection of speech "does not equate to endorsement." The statement also expressed the district's commitment to professional standards and to fostering an environment of civility and respect.
The item arose during public comment. Husky urged accountability and community dialogue; board members and district administrators described having met with him and said the district had sought legal advice. The board did not vote on any personnel action during the meeting.