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
Somebody essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular publish incredible. Magnificent job!
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog. I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal blog now 😉
This is the right web site for everyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a topic which has been discussed for many years. Wonderful stuff, just excellent!
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Very good article. I am dealing with a few of these issues as well..
Great info. Lucky me I ran across your website by accident (stumbleupon). I have book-marked it for later!
This is the perfect website for anyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that’s been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!
Wow, great blog.Much thanks again. Really Great.
I couldn’t resist commenting. Perfectly written!
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! It’s the little changes which will make the most significant changes. Many thanks for sharing!
After exploring a handful of the blog posts on your web site, I really like your way of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my website too and let me know what you think.
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site. I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal blog now 😉
Excellent write-up. I certainly love this website. Thanks!
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you need to publish more about this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t discuss such issues. To the next! Best wishes!!
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand why I can’t join it. Is there anyone else getting identical RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
Very good article. I’m facing some of these issues as well..
Having read this I believed it was really enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Hi, I do think this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit yet again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always exciting to read through content from other authors and practice something from other web sites.
I was very pleased to find this site. I want to to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new information on your website.
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this info.
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…
Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Thank you! Where are your contact details though?
I was able to find good advice from your articles.
I like it when people get together and share ideas. Great site, stick with it!
The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t fail me as much as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, nonetheless I genuinely thought you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
Howdy! This article could not be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this information to him. Pretty sure he will have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
It’s nearly impossible to find well-informed people on this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
After I initially commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!
There’s definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made.
Great web site you have here.. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours these days. I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Awesome blog.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Enjoyed every bit of your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Very good information. Lucky me I found your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve book marked it for later!
I truly love your blog.. Great colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own website and want to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Many thanks!
I’m more than happy to find this website. I need to to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every little bit of it and I have you book-marked to see new information in your web site.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes which will make the most important changes. Many thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the post.Thanks Again. Will read on…