Rantz: Orting School Board director resigns after Jan. 6 charges, shares resignation letter

Rick Slaughter resigned from the Orting School Board of Directors, effective immediately.

The resignation comes after an arrest and charges for alleged involvement in the riot on January 6. He’s been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon, interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, and other felony and misdemeanor offenses.

Orting School Board member resigns after Jan. 6 riot charges

Slaughter shared his resignation letter with the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH.

Good afternoon everyone, I hope this email finds you well.

I wanted to send this email out as soon as possible once a final decision has been made. First off, I want to apologize for how the circumstances of my situation regarding the news story allegations may have caused an issue for any of you. The idea of that along with a general distraction from the district’s strategic goals had brought me to the point of consideration for resignation.

My hesitancy was because I don’t want the children of our district to see yet another example of mob rule. The wickedness of words that came in all directions shows just how many adults do not believe in the rule of law or giving another person the benefit of the doubt. This was a news article, not a court trial.

Everyone deserves the right to a fair trial and to be judged by a jury of their peers. But in today’s world no matter who you are, how much you’ve done, or how limited the facts may be…you will be judged by social media and slandered overnight. So I woke up not wanting to cave to that and I was determined not too. Too many people in leadership do this and then we wonder how that becomes culture. So I said no.

But then I asked my wife what she wanted, and she told me that she needs all of me right now. So with that, my decision became very clear.

Please take this letter as my official resignation as Board Director, District #1, for the Orting School District.

Thank you all,

Rick Slaughter

Orting School Board
Director District #1

School Board President Carrie Thibodeaux posted a statement on the Board’s website.

“As a Board, we remain committed to transparency and open communication lines between the District and the local community. While we appreciate Rick’s service to the District, we are also saddened by the hurt and frustration recent events have caused. This community, our schools, staff, and students will continue to be at the heart of what we do while building your trust and confidence,” the statement continues.

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