Dawn Kitz's tenure on the Orangetown Central School District Board of Education in New York has come to an abrupt end following a controversial reaction to a social media post regarding an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
The resignation came after Kitz reacted with a laughing emoji to a Facebook post about an assassination attempt against Donald Trump, sparking widespread criticism and an internal school board review, Fox 25 reported.
Kitz, who served as a member of the school board in Blauvelt, used a laughing emoji in response to a Facebook post discussing an assassination attempt on Trump that occurred in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The post she reacted to included a contentious comment: "Doesn't anyone have any aim? If you're going to do it then do it already!" Her reaction drew immediate attention and controversy.
Following her controversial emoji reaction, the Orangetown Central School District Board conducted a review of Kitz's social media activities. Her reaction not only caused a stir online but also led to vocal criticisms from community members during a school board meeting held on September 17.
At the meeting, several residents expressed their disappointment and concern over Kitz’s behavior. One woman stated, "As an American, I am livid. And as a resident of the school district, I am embarrassed," highlighting the community's outrage.
The situation escalated as the community demanded accountability, with an OCSD mother emphasizing the importance of role models in leadership positions.
"We rely on our social leaders to be role models, and anything less than a firm response to this situation could have parents and community members having trust issues with the board members that guide and protect our children," she said.
During the same board meeting, Kitz apologized for her actions, explaining that others misunderstood her response. "I am sorry if my use of the laughing emoji on the Facebook post was misconstrued. I found the post outrageous and was laughing at the person who posted, not the post," she clarified.
Despite her explanation, the controversy did not subside, and the pressure continued to mount. Kitz resigned from her position on the school board, effective September 25, as criticisms continued to affect her and the school board's operations.
Before her resignation, Kitz made a statement regarding her unique qualifications and dedication to the board. "A board should be made up of individuals with diverse ideas, experiences, and perspectives. I was the only member with any educational background, particularly nearly 40 years of experience working with students with special needs and their families," she remarked, highlighting her professional background and contributions.
In response to the uproar, OCSD Superintendent Brian Culat clearly stated that Kitz's actions did not reflect the views of the school board or district. He aimed to distance the board's stance from the controversy stirred by Kitz's social media behavior.
This incident has not only affected Kitz but also echoed a similar controversy involving James Knox, a member of the Queen Creek Unified School District in Arizona, who faced backlash for his social media comments about Vice President Kamala Harris. These incidents sparked a broader debate about the responsibility of school board members regarding their public and private statements.
As Kitz reflects on her departure, she expresses gratitude towards her supporters. "To those who supported me and reached out amidst the harassment and bullying, I sincerely thank you. You give me hope for the future of this community," she said in a final statement.
