LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Clark County School District is publicly addressing concerns about employees' response to the assassination of conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk.
Channel 13 has heard from dozens of concerned community members calling attention to comments they say were made by CCSD teachers after the shooting.
In a statement shared with Channel 13 on Friday, district officials stressed that they cannot comment on personnel matters, but acknowledged they have the authority to take action if employees' comments create "a material and substantial disruption to the operation of the District."
"The Clark County School District will not tolerate any speech or conduct that causes a material and substantial disruption to its operations," district officials stated.
According to CCSD, employees "shall be subject to disciplinary action" if their comments are found to:
- materially and substantially interfere with school activities, their ability to perform assigned duties, or the rights of others;
- create substantial interference to the educational mission and/or operation of their school;
- engage in harassment, discrimination, bullying, cyberbullying, or intimidation.
The outpouring of reaction to Kirk's death on social media has led to the firing and public condemnation of people across the country and here in Las Vegas.
Channel 13 has learned of at least two local professionals who lost jobs or positions of influence as a result of social media comments attributed to them, including a local realtor and a sports broadcaster.
Gov. Joe Lombardo on Friday publicly condemned those who "expand negatively to a tragedy of this caliber."
"I would support any agency that determines that individual acted inappropriately in their capacity or employment and have them removed as soon as possible," he said during a news conference convened to discuss updates on the state's ongoing recovery from a crippling cyberattack.
This comes after a 33-hour manhunt ended with the capture of Kirk's suspected killer, who police say turned himself in to authorities in Washington County, Utah, approximately 110 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
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You can read CCSD's full statement here:
The Clark County School District (“District”) will not tolerate any speech or conduct that causes a material and substantial disruption to its operations and is issuing this notice to address recent concerns.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution allows District employees to speak freely as private citizens regarding matters of public concern. However, the District has the authority to prohibit or restrict free speech rights of public employees if the speech results in any of the following:
1. The speech materially and substantially interferes with school activities, the employee’s ability to perform assigned duties, or the rights of others;
2. The speech does or is likely to create substantial interference to the educational mission and/or operation of the school; or
3. The speech is used to engage in harassment, discrimination, bullying, cyber-bullying, or intimidation of another person.
When considering the free speech rights of public employees, the law requires us to weigh the balance between the interests of the employee, as a private citizen, in commenting upon matters of public concern and the interest of the District, as an employer, in promoting the efficiency of the public services it performs through its employees.
Specifically, recent comments by District employees regarding the death of Charlie Kirk have created a material and substantial disruption to the operation of the District. As a result, all District employees are advised to refrain from engaging in speech regarding political violence that causes any of the results listed above. While not every exercise of free speech regarding political violence would create a prohibited result, if the speech causes any of the results listed above, the employee shall be subject to disciplinary action.