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Public commenters press board over vigil for Charlie Kirk and accuse a member of harming student safety
Summary
Multiple speakers criticized a board member for hosting a vigil honoring political commentator Charlie Kirk, saying the event and online posts have harmed LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable students and calling for board civility and process respect.
During the public-comment period at the Sept. 22 meeting, several community members directly criticized a board member for participating in or hosting an outside vigil honoring conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and for social-media activity they said had harmed students.
Aaron Yaeger, identified as secretary of the local nonprofit Stow Collaboration for Change, told the board that a member hosted a vigil for Charlie Kirk and read several past statements attributed to Kirk, calling the participation inappropriate. "Shame on you, Michael Sheehan, for honoring a man who by his own statements, would have endorsed the murder of people like me, a gay man," Yaeger said, addressing the board member by name.
Other commenters emphasized student safety and mental-health impacts. Faith Greer, a retired school psychologist, urged trustees to reject misinformation and said LGBTQ+ students experience disproportionate anxiety and suicidal ideation; she argued that affirming school environments reduce harm. "Let's stop with the misinformation, fear mongering, and personal attacks, and accept actual facts and do what is best for all Stow-Munroe Falls students," Greer said.
Speakers praised board members who engage with students and volunteers and criticized behavior they described as disrespectful or disruptive. Several commenters also raised questions about district finances and facility planning: Martie Simpkins asked when a large bond levy might be scheduled and whether future boards could cancel contracts dependent on a levy.
The board did not take formal action on the public comments at this meeting; trustees reminded attendees of decorum rules and directed staff to follow standard procedures for items requiring research or action.
What happens next: Trustees said they would continue standard agenda procedures; public commenters asked for follow-up on master-facilities planning and for continued attention to student safety and inclusion.
