ANTHONY WAYNE AREA – Shellie McKnight doesn’t dispute that, while reading an online Daily Mail post about a shot being fired at political activist Charlie Kirk last week, she reacted with a laughing emoji.

McKnight, a member of the Anthony Wayne Board of Education, said she was sitting outside in the bright sun, without her prescription reading glasses, and accidentally hit the laughing emoji rather than one that shows compassion. Alerted by friends the next morning, she immediately changed her post, issued an apology and notified fellow board members of her mistake.

“It was never my intention to make light of or condone the murder of this man…I would not do this. That level of violence is never acceptable,” she told an audience gathered during the Sept. 15 board meeting. “I admit my mistake. I corrected it. I apologized. I trust that we can put this unfortunate incident behind us.”

Instead of putting the incident to rest, dozens of district residents yelled out for McKnight to resign, or called her a liar. Others called for the board to remove or censure McKnight.

“By law, our powers are limited. We cannot remove a sitting board member unless certain legal requirements are met,” board president Kyle Miller told the crowd. “You hold the power.”

In Ohio, the public can ask to have board members removed for gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, drunkenness or other misconduct in office. The process includes submitting valid signatures to the court of common pleas – something that a group of citizens is currently undertaking. The school board could pass a resolution of censure or disapproval, which is symbolic and doesn’t affect the position.

“I’m disappointed this issue has been a distraction for the school,” said board member Jeff Baden, noting that McKnight’s emoji was overshadowing the news that the district placed in the top 5 percent of all Ohio schools on its most recent report card from the state. “We will follow the procedure and the law and will address them. None of us wants to see this community divided. Open discussion is the best option.”

During the public comment portion of the meeting, 13 residents spoke – some urging to turn down the temperature, others supporting McKnight’s assertion that it was a mistake, and several stating that McKnight doesn’t reflect the community.

“Shellie made an honest mistake,” said Bill Tucholski. “I believe Christ has something to say about our enemies…about casting stones…He said something about forgiveness.”

David Blythe, who said he’s known McKnight for years, said she would never purposely post anything that would make light of someone’s death.

“It’s pretty simple: an old lady didn’t have her glasses on while posting something on social media and hit the wrong emoji button. She was sick at heart about it and has been apologizing about it continuously since it happened,” Blythe said. “Give her the benefit of the doubt.”

Jim Schlievert said he doesn’t buy it.

“You have a history of lying and fabrication. One time is a mistake. You’re a pattern,” he told McKnight.

Sara Smith agreed and told McKnight that she should resign, ‘save face’ and move to a more liberal area. Jamie Hanifan, Cody Griffith, Colin Thornton and Karen Schneider weighed in with similar sentiments, telling McKnight she doesn’t represent all of those who live in the district, including conservative Christians. 

Steve Timms said McKnight should recuse herself when voting on whether to allow a charter for Turning Point USA’s high school group, Club America, in the district. Kirk was founder of Turning Point USA, and a local representative, Mia McDougal, was in the audience during the board meeting. Board member Mike Stamm encouraged those interested in learning more about Club America to speak with her.

“What do you think Charlie would do?” asked Bryan Knepper, urging the audience to actively have a discussion with those who have different opinions – not attack and try to get someone fired.

“Let he who is without sin be the first to come up and stone this woman for her perceived transgression,” Knepper said, paraphrasing the Bible. He noted that Satan focuses on stoking division through conflict, and that can lead to never-ending retribution. 

He also quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”

Other parents noted the impact of gun violence on America. Roy Collaco paraphrased a recent social media post he made about how if “you’re only against gun violence when it affects you or someone you identify with, then you’re not against gun violence.” He noted that Kirk’s death is a heinous act and a tragedy not just for Kirk’s family but for America, and it is representative of the decades-long issue of gun violence.

Tiffany Eckert asked how children are being helped to make sense of Kirk’s death. 

“Some have seen the footage, often without warning and context and the emotional tools to process it. That’s where our focus should be,” Eckert said. 

While she endorsed McKnight for the school board two years ago, Eckert said she now walks back that support, because “there is never a time to celebrate someone’s murder.”

“When adults in a position of authority respond to violence with mockery or indifference, it sends a message, and our children are watching,” she said. “There is no place for personal agendas and no place for hatred. Our children deserve better.”

After nearly two hours, the board exited into executive session to consider the investigation of charges or complaints against a public official. Board president Kyle Miller said he didn’t expect any decision to be made for at least a few weeks.

During the meeting, the board also:

-Congratulated the students, teachers, staff and families for the work that resulted in achieving a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on the state report card, placing the district in the top 5 percent in the state.  Superintendent Kevin Herman urged residents to look at the website for the latest Quality Profile report that outlines other achievements beyond the report card.

-Heard that the district will receive $2.3 million in back pay and $3.1 million annually from a Nexus pipeline property valuation settlement. 

-Learned that the AW Athletic Boosters donated $6,410.50 for the purchase of championship rings for the baseball team; and that Zion United Methodist Church and food pantry donated $1,297.45 for unpaid lunch balances.

-Approved an early graduation for Madison Dorsey, Class of 2026.

-Approved the retirements of Jim Huddleston, who has been with the district for 32 years, and Mike Tolles, who has been with the district for 20 years.

-Agreed to hiring Brian Benefield, food service worker; Sarah Marx, cafeteria/playground aide; and custodians Cyerah Sielski and Thomas Clayton.

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