About 30 teachers who attended the rally are being told to report to a meeting where they may lose their job
Charles Town, WV (DG) – Nearly 30 teachers in Jefferson County, West Virginia that attended the rally at the Capital in Washington DC on Wednesday are now being threatened with termination.
A letter was sent to the teachers by the Jefferson County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bondy Shay Gibson. In the letter the teachers are told to report to a meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 where disciplinary action, including termination, will be discussed. The teachers are encouraged to bring a representative with them. The teachers were also told to not enter any Jefferson County School’s property or attend any school activity.
The Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee released a statement about Dr. Gibson‘s letter. They say it is a threatening letter that is attack on our liberties. The JCREC is requesting that Dr. Gibson be suspended pending an investigation of her actions. They are also requesting that the Board of Education immediately cease the violation of the constitutional rights of the Board of Education employees, students, and the citizens of Jefferson County.
Statement from the Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee:
“Statement of Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee Regarding Jefferson County Board of Education’s Illegal Actions Against Republican Employees
The Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee is aware of reports that multiple Jefferson County Board of Education employees have been disciplined and verbally threatened with termination for supporting President Trump. The employees attended President Trump’s speech on Wednesday. To our knowledge, none of the impacted employees have been accused of violating any laws and have denied taking part in any of the shocking acts perpetrated by a few criminal actors.
The threatening letter that Dr. Gibson sent to the impacted employees is a frightening attack on our liberties. The Constitution protects the right to free speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to freely associate. The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the right of public employees to exercise those rights and prohibits retaliation against employees for doing so. Dr. Gibson’s attack on those rights has placed the Board of Education at great financial and legal peril.
On behalf of all Jefferson County Republicans, the JCREC is requesting that the Board of Education immediately cease the violation of the Constitutional rights of the BOE’s employees, students, and the citizens of Jefferson County. We are further requesting that Dr. Gibson be suspended pending an investigation of her actions. Dr. Gibson is entitled to be a Democratic activist; however, if it is determined that Dr. Gibson has violated the law then she must be terminated from her position as Superintendent.
As a reminder to Dr. Gibson and the BOE, a strong majority of 15,033 Jefferson Countians voted to re-elect President Trump. While Dr. Gibson may not like this, the majority of the children whose education she oversees come from families who support our President.”