Rantz: Middle school teacher says we’re ‘lucky’ if unvaccinated die, HR investigates
Aug 22, 2021, 8:31 PM | Updated: Aug 23, 2021, 11:00 am
Evergreen Public Schools is investigating a middle school teacher who said we'd be "lucky" if the unvaccinated were denied healthcare and died. She even implied she wants them to die based on their political or religious beliefs. (Source: Evergreen Public Schools and screenshot)
(Source: Evergreen Public Schools and screenshot)
Evergreen Public Schools is investigating a middle school teacher who said we’d be “lucky” if the unvaccinated were denied health care and died. She even implied she wants them to die based on their political or religious beliefs.
The teacher posted to Facebook that she is “ready to say let them die.” In the comments section of her personal page, she went even further, saying: “If we’re lucky we can cut out 30% of the population that votes the wrong way.”
After parents complained, human resources began an investigation.
A teacher wants the unvaccinated to die
The teacher turned her ire towards the unvaccinated on Facebook in a public post.
“I am ready to say let them die. You make a choice to not get your shot for any reason other than a doctors note, you should not be allowed healthcare. You are like the brats in class that ruin it for everyone,” she wrote, according to a screenshot.
MyNorthwest chooses not to identify teachers when they have not been fired nor charged for any crimes.
After a friend responded that she couldn’t agree “to wish ill even on the willingly ignorant,” the teacher doubled down.
“I have no problem with that. If we’re lucky we can cut out 30% of the population that votes the wrong way.”
Then another friend weighed in on the topic, saying if they were to die, there would be “less people using up all the resources.”
“Let the hunger games begin,” the teacher responded.
After local parents shared the post, the teacher deleted her account.
School investigates the comments
In a statement to the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH, Evergreen Public Schools confirms they are now investigating the teacher’s conduct.
“Evergreen Public Schools takes the health and safety of our students very seriously. The district is aware one of our employees posted a message regarding COVID vaccination statuses on her personal Facebook page/account while on summer break,” the spokesperson emailed. “It is being handled by our Human Resources department in accordance with district policies and procedures, and as it is a personnel matter, we cannot provide you any more specific information.”
District policy “expects all staff to participate in maintaining a clear expectation of civil conduct.”
The district does not punish or ban conversations on controversial issues. According to the policy, which the staff agrees to, it directly prohibits expression that would “materially disrupt” the educational process.
Though the district won’t detail the specifics of the investigation, it’s likely to include whether or not these comments could cause reasonable disruption in the class or school, given the teacher’s comments were directed at unvaccinated people — including her students, their parents, and her colleagues.
Should this be investigated?
It’s tricky dealing with personal social media posts.
In most cases, a school district cannot punish public school employees for protected speech. Nor should they. But if their speech shows they’re targeting the very people they serve, the issue escalates.
In this case, the teacher says she’s OK if her students, parents, or colleagues die if they’re unvaccinated.
And the only exception the teacher offers as acceptable is for a medical disability. But religious exemptions are also offered, implying the teacher is OK if people die from COVID over their deeply held religious beliefs.
As bad, the teacher believes the decision to forgo vaccination is connected to one’s political affiliation. Given the high number of young people and racial minorities not vaccinated, claiming a political affiliation is foolish.
This could be reasonably disruptive. Should parents trust this teacher with their kids?
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