This story was updated to add new information.
MARTIN COUNTY — The Martin County teachers union president was removed from teaching duties Sept. 12 for oline comments he allegedly posted over the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The action is pending an investigation into the comments, according to a statement on the Martin County School District’s social media page.
Matt Theobald, president of the Martin County Education Association and teacher at Spectrum Academy, has been reassigned to the district office while the “professional standards investigation proceeds,” district spokeswoman Jennifer DeShazo said in a text message. The information also has been sent to the Florida Department of Education in accordance with guidelines issued Sept. 11 by the state education commissioner, she said.
“We are aware of recent social media comments made by one of our educators regarding the death of Charlie Kirk,” said a statement posted by the district. “The district is conducting a thorough review consistent with statutory and professional standards. The employee has been removed from instructional duties while this process is underway.”
The school district released screenshots of social media comments it said were posted by Theobald, a 17-year veteran teacher. The posts called Kirk a racist, misogynistic, fear-mongering, xenophobic neo-Nazi “who used religion to justify all of the evil things he’s said and done … People are mourning him like he’s some sort of a folk hero. I just don’t get it.”
Theobald could not be reached for comment despite attempts by phone and text.
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Phoenix-based Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Sept. 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was struck by one bullet in the neck.
Theobald’s discipline comes just a day after a memorandum from Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsasto to school superintendents regarding comments some Florida teachers had posted on social media.
“These few are not a reflection of the great, high-quality teachers who make up the vast majority of Florida’s educators. Nevertheless, I will be conducting an investigation of every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior,” Kamoutsas wrote.
Theobald was reassigned to the district office so he will be away from students, said Derek Lowe, a school district spokesperson.
“People do have free speech,” Lowe said. “But when that speech starts to impact their role as educators, which is what the memo mentioned from the Florida Department of Education, then there are measures in place to prevent that.”
The district neither supports nor opposes Charlie Kirk or anybody, Lowe said. ‘We’re in the business of educating students. That’s our focus, and our focus is keeping our classrooms and our students safe while they’re in our schools.”
Theobald will be able to have legal counsel or a union representative with him during the professional-standards investigation, Lowe said.
Lowe declined to specify what disciplinary options — such as suspension or termination — are available to the district’s Office of Professional Standards and Employee Relations. The professional-standards office makes a recommendation regarding the appropriate discipline, and the superintendent decides what he takes to the School Board, Deshazo said.
Asked how officials discovered the post, Lowe said, it’s online and people sent it to the district. DeShazo said Theobald’s comments were not made on any of the district’s social media pages, and she was unsure where they originated on Facebook.
“They’ve been sent to us multiple times by community members,” she said in the text message.
Teachers in Lee County schools are among others in Florida being investigated for comments posted on social media, according to reports. A teacher in Clay County was placed on leave pending an investigation, according to reports.
No teachers are under investigation in Indian River County, spokesperson Kyra Schafte said in a text message. Information about whether St. Lucie County schools was investigating teachers was unavailable, officials said.
Across the country, as well, teachers posting unfavorable comments about Kirk’s death are facing disciplinary action.
A Massachusetts teacher was placed on leave after she allegedly posted a video with her celebrating Kirk’s death, smiling and singing “God Bless America.”
In Iowa, a teacher posting “1 Nazi down” on social media faces termination. Teachers in Maine and South Carolina also were being investigated.
“Our priority remains ensuring that Martin County classrooms are safe, respectful and focused on student learning,” Martin County’s statement said. “We will continue to work closely with the Florida Department of Education and follow all applicable guidelines in this matter.”
Staff writer Keith Burbank contributed to this report.
Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Martin teachers union head removed from classroom over posts about Charlie Kirk death
Reporting by Colleen Wixon, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
