Residents urge action over teacher social‑media post; board says personnel matter under review and moves to executive session

Several residents used the Kings Local School District public comment period on Sept. 8 to challenge a sixth‑grade teacher’s social‑media post and to call on the board to take personnel action.

Speakers including Deb Geeel, Scott Sheeter and Rebecca Zappier described a public post by a sixth‑grade teacher that they said included profanity, what they characterized as vilification of a recently killed public figure, and comments they said could be seen and absorbed by children. “Do the right thing. Remove this teacher from the classroom,” Karen Burton said during her turn at the microphone.

Scott Sheeter, who identified himself as a tax professional, cited district policies while urging the board to act. He referenced the board’s staff conduct and ethics policies and said the post “was definitely not true and not accurate” and that the content could be grounds for discipline under district policy.

Rebecca Zappier read excerpts from the district’s culture blueprint and asked the board to explain how the post aligned with the document’s stated values. Multiple speakers asked whether the teacher had named a person in the post and urged the district to clarify whether the content reached classroom students.

Board response and process: Board President Mister Skerrill acknowledged receipt of emails and community concern and read a prepared response to those who had emailed the board: “Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns. Please know that we take all reports regarding staff conduct seriously and are reviewing the matter in accordance with district policy and state and federal laws. Because this involves a personnel matter, we are not able to share specific details or outcomes,” the president read.

After public comment the board voted to enter executive session “to consider the employment and discipline of a public employee or official.” The motion to go into executive session was moved and seconded, and the roll call recorded unanimous support; when asked later whether the board would take action immediately afterward, a board member said no.

Context and limitations: Several speakers cited specific district policy numbers while urging disciplinary action; board officials told the public that personnel matters are handled under existing policies and that specific investigatory outcomes cannot be disclosed publicly. The board did not announce disciplinary action during the meeting.

Provenance

Topic intro evidence: "The portion of the meeting during which the participation of the public is invited is limited to 30 minutes... So first item first person we'll have this evening was, Deb Deal." (transcript block starting at 1561.295)

Topic finish evidence: "Next item on our agenda is executive session. We're about to enter into executive session for the following purpose, to consider the employment and discipline of a public employee or official. May I have a motion to enter executive session?" (transcript block starting at 4880.9)