HUTTO — A Hutto Independent School District employee could face disciplinary action after a controversial socialmedia post surfaced referencing the assassination of rightwing political activist Charlie Kirk.
Administrators sent out a digital districtwide message Sept. 11 informing the community they were aware of the post, adding the comments did not “reflect the values or beliefs of Hutto ISD.”
The actual post — viewed on a personal social media account — was not shared by school officials. Under state statutes, school districts are limited in what information can be released about personnel issues.
“We expect staff to maintain professionalism, both in person and online,” Superintendent Jeni Neatherlin said in a prepared release. “This situation is being addressed administratively according to district policies and procedures.”
The shooting death Wednesday of Kirk, 31, during a public debate event at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour, an outgrowth of his nationally known Prove Me Wrong table, sent shockwaves across America.
The founder of the conservative Turning Point USA has been lauded by Republican Party officials for energizing GOP activity on college campuses and for helping elect President Donald Trump.
Law enforcement officials Friday said a 22-year-old man was being held in the case on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm and obstruction of justice.
Hutto Mayor Mike Snyder chimed in on the post linked to the Hutto ISD staffer Thursday evening.
“I appreciate the Hutto ISD for (taking) action on this issue. People running for office or who work with the public and who engage in suggesting acts of violence have no room in our community,” Snyder said.
According to Hutto ISD’s employee standards of conduct, which were updated earlier this year, “all employees shall be held to the same professional standards in their public use of electronic communications as for any other public conduct.”
Snyder added there is a place for public discourse.
“We should embrace vigorous debates in our community, our budgets and how we run the government. But never should violence be part of the ‘debate,’” he said.
