Summers County teacher under investigation for politically-charged social media post
“We know mistakes will be made, but this one is one that gives education a black eye.”
SUMMERS COUNTY, W.Va. (WVVA) - A Summers County teacher is now on administrative leave with an investigation pending.
It’s in relation to a post made on social media that contained anti-religion and anti-Republican rhetoric.
Although the teacher has since removed the post, it had already spread and prompted demands that the Summers County School Board take action.
Summers County Superintendent Dave Warvel said action for now includes placing the teacher on administrative leave while a full investigation is made of the post.
Warvel said the post is disappointing and the school system does not in any way condone it.
“We put him on administrative leave and we do have to do an investigation but I’m very, very, very disappointed in this because that should never come out of the mouth of an educator or in written form either.” says Warvel. “I could understand it if it came from a child, but not an adult especially not in the education profession and I’m very disappointed in that.”
The post included comments like “Religion is the root of all evil” and “Republicans are what is wrong with education.”
Warvel adds all the teachers of Summers County are required to take an online course for social media, which the teacher in question did complete.
“We do have professional development for social media for our educators. We also, every year, have what we call Vector Solution. It’s an online program that they have to complete before, usually it’s before October.”
This investigation is ongoing following the regularly scheduled Summers County Board meeting, which took place November 12.
“We know mistakes will be made, but this one is one that gives education a black eye.”
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