The School District of Lancaster increased security at Reynolds Middle School following online backlash to a staff member's social media post about Charlie Kirk's death. Principal Aaron Swinton assured parents that student safety remains the top priority.
The controversy began when Amanda Dodson, a teacher at Reynolds, shared a Facebook post calling Kirk a "white nationalist mouthpiece." The post, which described Kirk as "racist, xenophobic, transphobic, islamophobic, sexist," was highlighted by "Libs of TikTok," a social media account known for targeting public figures. This led to widespread criticism and calls for Dodson's dismissal.
Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University. The shooter, Tyler Robinson, was arrested shortly after the incident.
The School District of Lancaster stated that Dodson's post would be addressed internally, as is standard for personnel matters. The district emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment.
Due to the influx of comments violating guidelines, the district disabled comments on its social media platforms. The district's policy allows employees to express personal views but requires them to clarify that these views do not represent the district. Dodson's post did not include such a disclaimer.