LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Hours of debate at Thursday’s Clark County School District board meeting. The issue — the free speech of CCSD teachers after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“We don’t want them around our children!,” that was the comment of one parent at the board meeting. There were demands for CCSD teachers to be fired over their social media comments following the death of Charlie Kirk and demands they be allowed back in their classrooms.
The meeting lasted more than four hours. From the very beginning, it was clear Kirk’s death and reaction to it was on the minds of many. The meeting began with this message from the school board president.
“There are certain trustees that are wearing certain items that reflect their personal views, it does not reflect the official position of the Board of Trustees,” stated Irene Bustamante Adams. One board member was wearing a shirt with Charlie Kirk’s face and a bible verse.
Before any public comment, trustees had to decide if a Christian organization should be allowed to provide health care sports physicals and immunizations in CCSD schools to students at no cost.
“Any services that they provide would be done in a way that is non-sectarian. They would not be proselytizing to our students or families that might be receiving services with them,” explained Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jesse Welsh. Trustee Linda Cavazos expressed concerns about separation of church and state.
“I had a question from a constituent asking about immunization. People with religious exemption, they can opt of having an immunization. Would we need any additional form on that, having to do with that?,” Cavazos questioned. The board was divided but the agreement with Hope Christian Health Center ultimately was approved.
When public comment began, a clear difference of opinion continued focusing on reaction to the death of Charlie Kirk.
“It is a matter of decency. No one should have to be taught you don’t glorify a school shooter,” one woman contended.
“The recent events in our district, including the teachers unassigned from our classrooms, has deeply concerned me. I am hoping that this board will do the right thing. Be great Americans and stand for our Constitution and First Amendment rights,” another speaker asked.
“We can’t just judge all these teachers who made comments online with one wide brush, you have to look at each individual one,” another speaker stated.
“This is not a free speech issue, it is a conduct issue when teachers applaud and cheer the murder of an innocent man,” another speaker contended.
Trustees took no action following the dozens of people who shared their thoughts on both sides.
In the days following Kirk’s death, the district said any employee who causes disruption with their speech may face disciplinary action adding the district reserves the right to limit speech when it interferes with school operations.
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