Alabama’s top education official has warned that teachers could face investigations and discipline for “inappropriate” social media posts, following reports that several educators commented online about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In a Saturday letter to school superintendents, State Superintendent Eric Mackey said at least three educators had posted what he called “reprehensible and inexcusable” remarks. He directed districts to report any such cases to the state Department of Education for review under the Alabama Administrative Code and Educator Code of Ethics. “I will not tolerate a small group of bad actors to diminish our calling or tarnish our profession,” Mackey wrote, adding that he has previously removed teachers over misconduct.
Amy Marlowe, head of the Alabama Education Association, urged educators to exercise caution online, acknowledging their free speech rights but stressing they must balance those rights with professional responsibilities. “While educators, like all citizens, have a constitutional right to free speech, those rights must be balanced with their professional responsibilities and the operational needs of school systems,” Marlowe said.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between free expression and professional conduct standards in the wake of Kirk’s killing earlier this month.
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