A high school teacher in North Carolina has been placed on leave following reports that the educator suggested that harm should come to Vice President Mike Pence while he was in the state campaigning for Republicans ahead of the recent special congressional elections.
Fox affiliate WJZY in Charlotte reported that the unnamed teacher at Cuthbertson High School is alleged to have told students that Pence should be “shot in the head” while visiting North Carolina to campaign on behalf of Dan Bishop, who won the special election for the state’s Ninth Congressional District.
Local authorities were alerted, and according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the information was then passed along to the U.S. Secret Service for further investigation.
Inappropriate and “out of bounds”
Firas Obeid, a parent with two students enrolled at Cuthbertson, told WJZY that while he wasn’t a supporter of the vice president, he nonetheless believed it was inappropriate for anyone, much less a teacher in front of students, to speak openly about harming the vice president.
“This is the Vice President of the United States. He’s an elected official,” Obeid said. “Affiliation to a specific party does not entitle us to make a statement like that to anyone.”
That view was shared by the chair of the Union County GOP, Allison Powers, who wouldn’t go as far as to say that the teacher should be fired, but did express a belief that the school board needed to take some sort of action to address the situation.
“You should not be bringing in those type of viewpoints to your job,” Powers said. “To just wish that kind of violence on anybody is just way out of bounds.”
Placed on administrative leave
A request for comment with school board chair Melissa Merrell went unanswered, but district representative Gary Sides wrote on Facebook, “I can assure you it will be taken seriously.”
ABC affiliate WSOC-TV reported that the teacher has since been placed on administrative leave while an investigation into the alleged threat against the vice president is conducted.
“Union County Public Schools is taking the alleged inappropriate comments made by a Cuthbertson High School teacher very seriously,” the district said in a statement. “Upon learning about the alleged comments, the teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave last week and there is an ongoing investigation into this matter.”
“The Secret Service is aware of the reported comments made by the teacher. In addition, this is a personnel matter and information related to the investigation is protected by law,” the district added.
Whether the teacher who allegedly made the comments was serious or not, it is never acceptable to make assassination threats — especially in front of impressionable students — and, hopefully, assuming first that the Secret Service determines no criminal justice action is necessary, the district holds the teacher accountable for the innapropriate remarks.
747 Responses
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! It’s the little changes that make the largest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover somebody that really knows what they’re discussing over the internet. You actually know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people must read this and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you are not more popular since you certainly have the gift.
Thanks for the post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It’s the little changes that make the greatest changes. Thanks for sharing!
Very nice write-up. I absolutely love this site. Stick with it!
I quite like reading an article that will make people think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing these details.
255938 394824But wanna say that this is invaluable , Thanks for taking your time to write this. 391694
bookmarked!!, I love your website!
It’s hard to come by experienced people on this subject, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
I truly appreciate this post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
Very good information. Lucky me I recently found your website by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!
Hi! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for the great info you’ve got here on this post. I will be returning to your web site for more soon.
Spot on with this write-up, I really think this amazing site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the advice!
Your style is so unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this blog.
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to create a really good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.
Very good post. I’m experiencing some of these issues as well..
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which too few people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I came across this in my search for something concerning this.
You should be a part of a contest for one of the finest blogs online. I’m going to recommend this website!
Thanks-a-mundo for the post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems?
A handful of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.
Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all people you really realize what
you are speaking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my site =).
We could have a link trade contract between us
Hey there! I know this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask.
Does running a well-established website
like yours require a lot of work? I’m brand new to running a blog but
I do write in my diary daily. I’d like to start a
blog so I will be able to share my personal
experience and thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners.
Appreciate it!
you are actually a excellent webmaster. The website loading pace is incredible.
It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The
contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a wonderful activity in this topic!
I like the valuable information you provide in your
articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
I think this is among the most significant information for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general
things, The site sthle is great, the rticles iis really excellent : D.
Good job, cheers
Hello, I enjoy reading through your post. I wanted to write a
little comment to support you.
Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Thank you for sharing!
I was curious if you ever considered changing the page layout of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could
connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot
of text for only having one or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all people you really understand what you
are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my site =).
We may have a link alternate contract among us
What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this website daily, this
website is really pleasant and the users are genuinely sharing
pleasant thoughts.
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our
community. Your web site provided us with useful information to work on. You’ve done a formidable task and our whole
group shall be thankful to you.
I also conceive hence, perfectly indited post!
That is a good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Short but very accurate info… Thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!
This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more
than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Everything is very open with a precise description of the challenges.
It was definitely informative. Your site is very helpful.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi there! Quick question that’s entirely off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My web site looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone.
I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to correct this problem.
If you have any suggestions, please share. Many thanks!
Komunistyczny oddział nauki w Częstochowie
Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is valuable and everything.
However imagine if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your
posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics
and videos, this site could definitely be one of the
very best in its niche. Fantastic blog!
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed
reading it, you’re a great author. I will remember to
bookmark your blog and will eventually come back in the future.
I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice evening!
What’s up, I want to subscribe for this blog to take most up-to-date updates,
thus where can i do it please help out.