Stefanik calls for investigation into inappropriate teacher social media posts

SARATOGA | House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik is calling for Gov. Kathy Hochul to launch an investigation into school district faculty, teachers, and employees who have made inappropriate or offensive social media posts following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Stefanik's demand comes after the State of Florida opened an investigation into all educators who made celebratory remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In a letter Friday evening, following several high-profile instances of controversial teacher posts across the state, Congresswoman Stefanik said in full: "It has come to my attention that in the wake of the tragic and horrific murder of Charlie Kirk, a number of public school educators across New York State have made deeply inappropriate, offensive, and unprofessional comments on social media platforms. While these individuals represent a very small minority, their conduct is disturbing and inconsistent with the high standards expected of educators in New York State. Other states have publicly announced a review but unsurprisingly New York has failed to do so under your leadership. The overwhelming majority of New York's educators are dedicated professionals who serve their students and communities with integrity, compassion, and respect. However, what should have been a moment of solemn reflection and unity has instead exposed a disturbing pattern of concerning rhetoric from within our own New York State public school system. The comments and social media behavior exhibited by certain educators in the aftermath of this tragedy are not only disgraceful and morally repugnant, but they raise immediate and serious questions about whether these individuals should be entrusted with the responsibility of educating our children. A Beekmantown Central School mathematics teacher publicly celebrated Kirk's death by posting profanities on Facebook and stating "At least he died happy... surrounded by white folk! (Utah!)." Alongside this, the faculty member included a photo of Charlie Kirk with the pronouns "was/were," showing a complete absence of moral character and blatant racism, clearly exhibiting characteristics antithetical to those of a public servant and educator. This is not an isolated incident, at Naples Central School, a faculty member reportedly made multiple social media posts spewing profanity directed at Trump supporters and followers of Charlie Kirk, including referring to Kirk as a "Nazi" and "aspiring Goebbels," a grotesque and historically illiterate comparison to the Nazi regime's chief propagandist. This faculty member also shared a photo of a T-shirt that read "Is He Dead Yet?" stating, "Good riddance to bad garbage"—another gleeful celebration of a political assassination. These are public school employees. These are the people standing in front of classrooms, tasked with guiding and mentoring our children and students. And yet we are witnessing them weaponize their platforms to cheer on political violence and publicly degrade Americans with different beliefs, while representing our school systems. These are not isolated missteps. They reflect a broader, deeply troubling trend of radical ideology festering unchecked in our education system. While the vast majority of New York educators are responsible, ethical, and professional, those who abuse their positions to promote hate and division must be immediately investigated and held accountable. As public servants and role models, educators in New York State are held to a high standard of conduct both inside and outside the classroom. The New York State Code of Ethics for Educators, as well as the Commissioner's Regulations (Part 83) outline clear expectations regarding professionalism, moral character, and behavior that upholds the dignity of the profession and the safety of the learning environment. Pursuant to New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR) Part 83 (Determination of Good Moral Character), including sections 83.1, 83.6, and 83.7, the Commissioner has authority to investigate, impose preliminary suspensions, and ultimately suspend, limit, or revoke a certificate for any educator whose public conduct raises serious questions about their moral character or who is convicted of certain offenses. Educators retain their First Amendment rights as private citizens; however, these rights are not absolute in the context of their professional responsibilities. Public expressions—whether verbal, written, or online—that are perceived as celebrating violence or expressing hatred toward individuals or groups can seriously undermine public trust and have a harmful impact on students and broader communities. Such conduct may also raise questions about an educator's moral character, which may warrant review under the New York State Education Law Section 3020-A regarding disciplinary action. Statements, whether in person or online, that create a hostile or unwelcoming school environment for any student, parent, or colleague will be taken seriously. I expect your office and the New York State Department of Education to do an immediate review of these cases and identify any additional cases where public educators have made inappropriate, hateful, or violent remarks related to this tragedy. This is not just about political differences—it is about upholding the moral integrity of those entrusted to teach our children. Anything less than swift and decisive action will send a dangerous message that this kind of rhetoric is acceptable in New York State schools." Amid widespread outcry after the widely circulated social media post by a Beekmantown Central teacher, the district responded, saying "These remarks, posted on a social platform, were inappropriate and insensitive, and do not reflect the values of our school community. We have heard from a large number of parents, students, and community members who voiced their disappointment and concerns. We are grateful to be part of a community that values compassion, respect, and thoughtful dialogue, and we recognize the importance of reflecting those values in everything we do as educators…please know that we take this matter seriously and remain committed to maintaining a respectful, supportive environment for all students and families. We share your commitment to kindness, empathy, and respect, and affirm that these are core values we must uphold and model for our students." Beekmantown Central is holding a special board meeting Monday, Sept. 15, for an emergency executive session amid the outcry. Executive sessions are often used to discuss personnel issues, though the exact cause for the meeting has not been specified in publicly released meeting agenda documents. The teacher is currently on administrative leave amid the ongoing district investigation. In a public address Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul called for unity amid the escalating political violence across the nation. "Political violence has no place in America — zero. A democracy thrives on debate, not bloodshed. And as Governor, I know that words matter. It's not enough for leaders to condemn the violence after the fact. You must call out the reckless rhetoric that sparks it. New Yorkers understand this. We settle our differences at the ballot box. We cherish free speech, but we also demand responsibility because reckless words can lead to reckless acts," she said. "What we need now from leaders of every party, every community is restraint, respect and a little more compassion... We cannot continue down this path. We cannot allow our political differences to obscure our shared humanity. We cannot surrender our common decency to the dark corners of social media... Let us resolve to forge a safer, more tolerant world, not just for today, for our children and our grandchildren. That's the America I hold in my heart, and I believe it should exist in everyone's heart. We have work to do, but as always, New York is up for the challenge." Stefanik's full letter can be read here.

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Stefanik calls for investigation into inappropriate teacher social media posts

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