Parents and community members are demanding an apology from District 12 Williamson County school board member Susan Curlee after she posted a controversial tweet comparing one Twitter user to a “retarded chimp”:
.@WCS_CitizenTwit so you prefer lies? BTW, interesting choice of handle, “twit” pic.twitter.com/gyDoEcslwe
— Susan Curlee (@curlee4wcs) September 9, 2015
Comments across social media and the hashtag #deletetheRtweet emerged asking Curlee to remove the post and issue a formal apology. Nearly 2 days later, however, the tweet remains publicly visible on Curlee’s Twitter account. Curlee has not publicly issued a statement or apology on the issue. However, P.J Mezera, Chair of the WCS board, did: “As Chairman of the Williamson County School Board, I would like to offer my apologies for a tweet that one of our Board members sent out yesterday. It is expected that all Board members conduct themselves professionally and with decorum in all forms of media at all times. It is unfortunate that one of our Board members has engaged in name calling and crass communications with the public she serves. As Chairman, I find this reprehensible and condemn such actions.” In a seperate statement, Mezera also revealed Curlee is “already being disciplined for earlier issues.” Superintendent of WCS Dr. Mike Looney posted his own tweet following the incident:
Dear adults, Let’s model for our kids empathy, grace, and kindness! Who’s in? — Dr. Mike Looney (@wcsDirofSchools) September 10, 2015
Past conflicts with Curlee have led to calls for her resignation.
*Update: On the evening of Sept 11, Curlee posted the following to her official Facebook page:
The calling out of Williamson Strong, a group whose stated purpose is “to make it easier for public school parents and community members to access information essential to supporting, preserving, and advancing excellence in public school education in Williamson County”, along with Curlee’s refusal to apologize for creating the tweet has already drawn outrage:
We will continue to update on this story as it develops. Read Also: WCS Board Member’s Tweet Stirs Up Trouble
