State Superintendent Warns Educators Over “Inappropriate” Social Media Posts
Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey has issued a warning to educators across the state, saying that “inappropriate” social media posts could lead to investigations and disciplinary action.
In a letter sent to school superintendents on Saturday, Mackey said the directive followed what he described as three “inexcusable” posts made by Alabama teachers regarding the recent shooting death of conservative political commentator and talk radio host Charlie Kirk.
“Almost immediately upon arriving home, I became aware of two inappropriate, reprehensible, and inexcusable social media posts regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Mackey wrote. “By the time I went to bed, I had received a third post.”
Mackey said the posts may violate the Alabama Administrative Code and the Educator Code of Ethics. He directed local school officials to report any similar incidents to the Alabama State Department of Education and to work with legal counsel on disciplinary measures.
He emphasized that the state department’s certification team will review each case and that teachers have already been removed from their positions as a precaution.
“In my years as state superintendent, I have removed people from our profession and otherwise reprimanded inappropriate behavior in order to protect our students and safeguard our profession,” Mackey said. “I will continue to do so, and I will not tolerate a small group of bad actors diminishing our calling or tarnishing our profession.”
https://www.alabamaachieves.org/state-board-of-education/
Mackey also noted that while educators have a constitutional right to free speech, those rights must be balanced with their professional responsibilities and the standards expected of public servants.
“It is important for educators to recognize that while they are private citizens, they also serve in a public role,” he wrote. “Community standards and the impact on the learning environment all factor into how an educator’s social media activity is evaluated. Our goal is to help educators safeguard their careers by adhering to their school system’s social media policy while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.”
