Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined a chorus of Republican leaders who want action taken against two Chesterfield County Public Schools employees for social media posts they made about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Late Friday, the four school board members called on one of their colleagues to resign.
The response is to posts by Dot Heffron, a School Board representative for the Clover Hill District, and Alana Hartman-Hall, dean of students at Clover Hill High School.
“Chesterfield County School Board Chair Dot Heffron must immediately resign after her comments promoting the murder of Charlie Kirk,” Youngkin said. “Nobody who would cheer murder should be allowed within 100 yards of a student. I call on leaders from both parties to not only publicly condemn her despicable comment and rebuke any endorsement she has made, but also join me in demanding her resignation.”
The Instagram post said, “Call me old fashioned, but I remember when we used to be okay with shooting Nazis.”
Kirk, 31, died Wednesday after being shot during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University.
The remainder of Chesterfield’s school board called for Heffron to resign in a joint statement Friday afternoon.
The statement from Chair Ann Coker ( Bermuda), Vice Chair Lisa Hudgins ( Midlothian), Dominique Chatters (Dale) and Steven Paranto ( Matoaca) said: “The Chesterfield County School Board has been made aware of a social media post made by one of our colleagues. This post is deeply concerning and does not reflect the values, standards, or expectations of the Chesterfield County School Board.
“As elected officials, we are bound by our governance policies and a responsibility to model respect and professionalism for the students, staff, and families we serve. This post is in direct violation of those standards.
“In light of this violation of trust and governance, we are calling for Dorothy Heffron’s resignation from the Chesterfield County School Board, effective immediately.
“Our focus remains, as always, on ensuring the best possible educational environment for all Chesterfield County students.”
Virginia’s state superintendent said Friday that the state Board of Education stands ready to revoke the teaching licenses of any educators who have posted comments online about Kirk that celebrate political violence.
“Local school divisions should promptly investigate (reports of online posts) in accordance with their policies and local Standards of Professional Conduct and Ethics and refer teachers and administrators who have violated these essential standards of decency to the Virginia Board of Education for licensure revocation,” State Superintendent Emily Anne Gullickson wrote.
“The Department stands ready to support superintendents and will be evaluating options with the Board of Education for state action for those local school divisions that do hold their personnel responsible.”
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running for governor, also called for Heffron’s resignation and for Hartman-Hall to be fired over her Facebook post.
The post read: “When you promote violence and advocate for a percentage of teachers and students to be sacrificed to school shootings. You reap what you sow… If you aren’t in a school and aren’t responsible for kids you’ll never get it. Once again Charlie Kirk you reap what you sow.”
Earle-Sears commented on Facebook: “This vile, heartless remark is completely unacceptable — especially from someone entrusted with our children. Alana Hartman-Hall must resign immediately.”
A statement from Chesterfield spokesperson Shawn Smith on Thursday evening said that the school division was aware of social media comments made by “certain staff members” but that they don’t reflect the values and expectations of CCPS.
“While employees may express personal opinions, we expect all staff to maintain the highest standards of professionalism.
“Division leadership are reviewing the matter; however, state and federal employment laws prevent us from sharing more specific information.
“As always, our priority remains providing a respectful, supportive learning environment for every student.”
The post attributed to Hartman-Hall was first publicized Thursday on X by Matthew Hurtt, chairman of the Arlington County Republican Committee. Hurtt also posted screenshots of the Instagram post tied to Heffron on Friday.
Glen Sturtevant, R- Chesterfield, has called for both Chesterfield school officials to leave the school division, while Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid has also criticized the posts.
“What the hell is going on in Chesterfield schools, @oneccps?” Sturtevant wrote on X. “Now a school board member too? Firings and resignations asap — let’s go?”
Messages left for Heffron and Hartman-Hall have not been returned.
Earle-Sears asked her Democrat opponent, Abigail Spanberger, to condemn the Instagram post. Heffron endorsed Spanberger in 2023.
Spanberger responded Friday with a statement condemning efforts to “justify or minimize” the murder of Kirk or anyone.
“Disagreements over policy, perspectives, or even worldviews should never lead to violence,” Spanberger posted on X. “ We are a nation of laws — and we have a First Amendment right to free speech, and that right is not limited just to those who agree with us.”
“Justifying or making light of violence damages the core fabric of our society and imperils all of us as Americans, just as calls to violence and revenge do the same. I hope that all elected officials and community leaders will join me in denouncing both.”
Reid called on state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D- Chesterfield, his opponent for lieutenant governor, to denounce the post. Heffron previously endorsed Hashmi.
Hashmi followed with a statement denouncing any support for the “violent” assassination of Kirk. That statement did not include Heffron by name.
“I wholeheartedly condemn any statements or actions that support the violent assassination of Charlie Kirk or any form of political violence,” Hashmi wrote on X. “Our country’s ideals are built on our assured freedom to speak and to disagree without fear of being violently attacked or killed.”
An endorsement from Heffron was removed from Hashmi’s campaign webpage as of Friday afternoon.
The Instagram account associated with Heffron is private, and the Facebook page for Hartman-Hall appears to have been deleted.
In reference to Hartman-Hall, Sturtevant said on X that “this person needs to be fired immediately.”
Sturtevant represents Virginia’s 12th State Senate District, which includes western Chesterfield and Colonial Heights.
Jayla Ford, secretary to Clover Hill High School Principal David Altizer, said Thursday that the school did not have a comment at this time.
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