Residents react to educator’s resignation
Two voice each side of debate around former administrator’s Facebook comments
While dozens of parents shared their thoughts Thursday night on the North Penn School District’s reopening plans, two others sounded off on another topic that’s had the district in the headlines lately.
A pair of residents shared their thoughts with the board on the recent news regarding now-former administrator Ashley Bennett.
“Although I strongly disagree with what she had to say, our district has unequivocally violated her constitutional right to free speech, under the First and Fourteenth Amendments,” said resident Nicholas Rizzio.
“It has long been established by the Supreme Court that a public employee, who speaks on her own time, on a matter of public concern, is protected by the First Amendment,” he said.
Bennett triggered a round of social media controversy in late June with a Facebook post that read, in part, “I’m confused right now. I see signs all over saying #BlackLivesMatter. I’m just trying to figure out WHICH black lives matter. It can’t be the unborn black babies — they are destroyed without a second thought.
“It’s not black cops — they don’t seem to matter at all. It’s not my black #Conservative friends. They are told to shut the —— up if they know what’s best for them by their black counterparts. It’s not black business owners. Their property, their business, and their employees don’t mean anything. So which black lives matter again?!? I can’t keep up. I can’t. I’m exhausted trying to figure out what we’re all supposed to do, believe, and be offended by, and outraged by next.”
The district posted a statement June 26 saying an administrator
had been put on leave and that the comments did not reflect the district’s values, and on July 16 the board approved personnel items that included her resignation.
On Wednesday, Media-based law firm Francis Alexander LLC issued a statement saying Bennett’s rights had been violated, the district had illegally retaliated against her, and that the board had violated their own policies and Bennett was considering litigation.
Rizzio told the school board Thursday night that the only exceptions to worker free speech protections would be if such a post would interfere with the employee’s ability to do their job.
“Any kind of workplace retaliation is unconstitutional, even if the employee’s
speech is inflammatory, offensive, or in bad taste,” he said.
“There is no reason why Ms. Bennett, whose role is supervisory and administrative, cannot still perform her job. When we face bad speech, the remedy is more speech, not enforced silence.”
Citing Supreme Court cases that state that no official can describe or declare particular opinions to be correct, Rizzio asked that the board immediately reinstate Bennett, and consider the impact that the board’s actions could suggest to students.
“It is vitally important that we teach our children that the principles of free expression are what allow us to discover the truth,” he said.
Resident Stephanie Harrison of Lansdale shared a different opinion.
“I just wanted to take a quick second to thank you all so much, for taking swift action regarding
Ms. Bennett and her blatant disregard for people of color,” Harrison said.
Harrison added that she has a child entering kindergarten in Oak Park Elementary School) with an IEP, or, individualized education profile, “and we are so pleased to be able to have a fresh start with a supervisor who loves all kids, and wants the best for all students.”
Board President Tina Stoll did not reply directly to the comments, but asked that all public comments during the July 30 meeting be limited to only the topic on the agenda, of school reopening.
Solicitor Kyle Somers clarified that the public could add comments “on any item that may come before the board, during this initial session (of public comment) as well.”
North Penn School Board’s next meeting is 7 p.m. on Aug. 11. For more information visit www. NPenn.org.