The chairwoman of the Cobb County Democratic Committee on Wednesday issued a statement blasting the Cobb County School District for placing teachers on leave for the comments they’re accused of making about the death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
Essence Johnson said in a statement authorized by the party that the school district “is once again picking and choosing which employees get a pass, and which are harassed until the ends of the earth.”
The district announced Monday that it had placed an unspecified number of employees on administrative leave while it investigates allegations that they posted social media messages “appearing to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk.”
The district didn’t specify what the messages said, but indicated that the employees won’t be allowed in classroom settings while on leave, and that they could be subject to disciplinary action that could involve possible revocation of their teaching certificates.
Johnson said the Cobb school district’s decision smacks of hypocrisy, and referenced a December 2023 report in the Cobb County Courier alleging that employees in the district’s communications office had ties to a conservative Powder Springs group, American Vision.
In that report, Cobb school district chief accountability officer John Floresta—who oversees the communications staff—was quoted as saying that the district isn’t “interested in the personal or political views of any of our staff.”
“For those unfamiliar, Gary DeMar, the [American Vision] founder, supports the death penalty for people in the LGBTQ community,” Johnson said in her statement Wednesday. “Now, after two years the school system has changed its stance on the personal or political views of its staff according to a statement released on Monday about the suspension of a teacher.”
Johnson, an East Cobb resident and former Georgia legislative candidate, further stated that “make no mistake, we reject political violence, regardless of which ‘side’ it comes from. However, Mr. Kirk’s killing has been used as an excuse by MAGA to persecute anyone who doesn’t adhere to their beliefs.”
“To those hellbent on rewriting history and ratting out their neighbors over perceived slights, we urge you to stop. To Cobb County Schools, we demand you stop using our teachers as political pawns and allow them to do their jobs.”
The Cobb school district has a social media policy for employees that also has provisions for what employees are permitted to post on their personal and social media accounts.
Among the provisions, employees are refrained from posting material that “displays inappropriate personal information, videos, or pictures that impair the employee’s professionalism and reputation” and “harms the reputation of or discredits the District.”
Related:
- East Cobb Charlie Kirk vigil relocated to Woodlawn Square
- Cobb Elections Board dispute roils along social lines
- Ga. Congress members respond to ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
- Ga. Congressional members issue statements on Iran attacks
- Editor’s Note: An uneventful ‘No Kings’ rally in East Cobb
- Allen takes office as Cobb commission elections certified
- Kemp won’t challenge Ossoff in U.S. Senate race
- MORE: Visit the East Cobb News Politics & Elections Page
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