Last week, a Milford School District employee came under fire for a social media post made on his personal pages. The video prompted district Superintendent Travis Moorman to issue a statement.
“We are aware of a social media post made by a staff member of the Milford School District. While the district does not control personal statements made outside of the workplace, these comments do not reflect the values and professionalism that is expected of Milford School District employees,” the statement read. “This matter is being addressed in accordance with district policy. No additional details will be shared. At no time was the safety and well-being of our students or staff in question. We are committed to ensuring that every student learns in a respectful, supportive and safe environment.”
The post, which was posted the day of the Charlie Kirk shooting, has been taken down, but others regarding the shooting remain along with one addressed to his coworkers.
“It looks like Charlie Kirk has kicked the [expletive] bucket and the people on the book of face can kiss my [expletive]. I am no longer surprised how many Caucasian friends I have on Facebook that actually thought that Charlie Kirk was a good guy. He was a racist, misogynistic piece of [expletive], and it looks like to me that God’s taking out these [expletive]one by [expletive] one,” Dion Russ, a behavior specialist at Morris Early Childhood Center said in the video. “I strongly encourage my Caucasian friends that follow me on the book of face that have no idea how [expletive] up a person Charlie Kirk was, or maybe you do when you’re a racist piece of [expletive] like he is.”
Russ then told those on his page to remove themselves as friends because he did not want to “align himself” with people who supported President Donald Trump.
“I’m telling no lie, my friends, on the book of face, if you’re Caucasian, you support this {expletive], or you feel some type of way because I said I don’t give a [expletive], he’s a racist piece of [expletive] and may you rest in hell,” Russ said. “Only thing I can say I like about this administration is that I’m seeing the true colors of my so-called [expletive] friends.”
Russ then called out “holy rollers and Christians” who complained that he should not be happy that someone was dead.
“The [expletive] you mean. He didn’t give an {expletive} when families were being torn apart because of deportations. He didn’t give a {expletive] at all because he could go back home to his wife and his children. Well, I tell you, God works in mysterious ways. And took out some members of the Heritage Foundation, and now he is taking out them supporters of this orange, fascist piece of [expletive].”
Much of Russ’s Facebook page is filled with political comment against the current presidential administration. Milford School District does have a social media policy that staff members must follow.
“A Staff Member’s Online Conduct is subject to the same standards of conduct applicable to conduct engaged in off-line,” Policy 4226(IV) reads. “The following list is not intended to be comprehensive or exclusive but, instead, to identify some examples of prohibited Online Conduct that is considered by the District to have the most serious consequences. Staff members who engage in any of the prohibited conduct listed below will be subject to corrective action in accordance with District policy.”
Below that statement are seven specific things staff are prohibited from doing in relation to social media. The second one states, “promote or endorse violence towards any person or persons” while the third reads “promote or endorse discrimination against or harassment of any individual or group based on race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or other characteristic protected by law.” There is no information on the district website on whether a first offense violation could result in termination.
Representative Bryan Shupe shared the full video on his Mr. 302 page. A few days later, Russ posted another video after taking down the one shared by Shupe.
“Bryan Shupe is making me look like a monster. Those who don’t know, I made a post about Charlie Kirk that went viral, and in that video, I talked about how, basically about what happened to Charlie. I mean, of course, anybody that gets shot that is definitely not good, but at the same time, we’re talking about a guy that hates all black people, all people of color, the governor is mad at me and calling out all the videos that I’ve posted,” Russ said in the second video. “I am a black man, and I will not let someone shut me up about exposing someone that don’t like people like me. Bryan really is the monster here. I’m a monster because I care about black and brown students that we supposed to be protecting.”
Russ continued that he could not understand praising a man who couldn’t care less about people of color. He stated that he had overwhelming evidence that led him to hate Kirk and that he had researched him.
“Every child black or brown has every right to a fair education. Every child, whether they’re black, brown, purple or green, should not live in fear and not be fearful of going to school. Charlie Kirk praised the deportation of our Hispanics out here, our Hispanic families, when they first started deportation, and they were scared to death,” Russ said. “Meanwhile, we have people like Charlie Kirk, who is talking negative about people like me and people that are Hispanic and the Haitians and anybody of color, but I am the monster.”
That video continued for over three minutes, justifying his first video. On September 11, Russ posted the following without a video.
“This message is addressed to my coworkers who have recently taken an interest in my profile and have formed a negative opinion of me due to my lack of remorse for racists. I am aware that some of you voted for Trump, and I have refrained from commenting on it as it is your political view. I understand that some of you may be monitoring my page and may report my content to our colleagues or administration, but I do not have any concerns about this,” Russ posted. “However, I do have a question for you before you take any action: did you carefully consider your vote and its potential impact on our Hispanic students, students with special needs, and the programs that support their learning? Did you think about the effects of this administration’s policies on our students and the community we serve?”
The post continued.
“I work with you all on a daily basis, and it is disheartening to see colleagues who smile at me during the day vote for a president who promotes racism and hatred, and who does not care about the well-being of individuals regardless of their race,” Russ posted. “While we do not discuss politics at work, I utilize my personal platform to discuss these issues, and I acknowledge that the topics I address may be uncomfortable or harsh, but they are based on facts. You are welcome to verify the information I have provided, but I will not be surprised if you choose not to. By the way I can see who views my post and stories.”
Because it is a personnel matter, the district is not able to release any details on how it handled the incident other than that they were dealing with it internally. The entire district social media policy can be found here.
