Board asked to refrain from religious and political speech

ANTHONY WAYNE – In the month since Anthony Wayne Board of Education member Shellie McKnight was censured by her peers for an emoji reaction to a Facebook posting about Charlie Kirk, the district and individual board members have received dozens of emails, calls and text messages about that decision – both pro and con.

During the Oct. 15 regular board meeting, three community members addressed the board to cite concerns about board member Mike Stamm‘s public prayer during the Sept. 15 meeting, his and board member Lindsay Hoipkemier‘s use of Christian references in their board email signatures, and about a perceived double standard for board members when it comes to accountability.

Whitehouse residents and parents David and Sarah Fournier called out the board for their actions both in the September meeting and in online Facebook discussions.

“It’s become clear to me that I can no longer stand on the sidelines while this board’s members make a public spectacle of themselves and embarrass our district,” David Fournier said, citing what he called the board’s “partisan excoriation” of McKnight – a move he said is an example of a double standard.

He specifically noted that Hoipkemier’s post on the Anthony Wayne Politics and Opinions Facebook page doesn’t square up with her Christian faith, which he said calls for followers to build up, not enflame; to correct in private before shaming in public; to speak in ways that give grace; and to show the fruits of the spirit, including gentleness, self-control and peace.

“Mobilizing an online pile-on flies in the face of those precepts,” David Fournier said.

He also noted that Stamm’s prayer from the dais and his promotion of Turning Point USA (the late Charlie Kirk’s organization) both raise Establishment Clause and policy concerns. He added that Stamm’s refusal to abide by the same standards of online conduct that were applied to McKnight concerns him.

“The board’s actions this past month have deeply damaged the remaining members’ credibility and proven that they cannot be trusted to represent the entire community in a non-partisan, unbiased manner,” David Fournier said.

Bill Tucholski echoed those sentiments, saying that if the board looks the other way and not hold all board members to the same standards, then it’s sending a message to the hundreds of community members whose values and views don’t align with the board members.

Several community members submitted complaints to the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which on Oct. 8 sent a letter to the board asking that “out of respect for the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the religious diversity of the Anthony Wayne Local Schools community” that the board ensure its members do not include unconstitutional prayer in its meetings and do not include sectarian references in their email signatures for their official district communications. That letter from FFRF is being reviewed by legal counsel, said board president Kyle Miller.

During the board comments section, Hoipkemier explained that emotions were running high in the weeks following Kirk’s death, and that she acted on those emotions during a period of grief, posting something that caused other people’s emotions to run high as well.

“I regret doing so and am sincerely sorry to those it negatively affected and ask for your forgiveness,” she said. 

In the past month, Hoipkemier said she’s received emails regarding Stamm’s impromptu prayer and both board members’ faith-based references in email signatures, and she understands how these could be “misconstrued as unconstitutional.”

After researching, Hoipkemier said she doesn’t feel that either the prayer or faith-based email signatures are an infraction of the Establishment Clause, because neither signal that the government is trying to establish an official religion. Instead, she believes these actions reflect the freedom and privilege of the Free Exercise Clause, which protects and individual’s right to practice their religion without government interference.

“To expect any elected official to suppress their beliefs while serving is unrealistic, unwise and unconstitutional. I understand and respect that not everyone shares my faith, but this doesn’t require my silence,” she said, adding that she supports every student, regardless of background, belief or faith.

Stamm quoted Kirk, noting that when people don’t discuss their differences, it can lead to tension and violence. While he understands the concerns voiced by residents, Stamm said he will continue to pray for the students, staff and leaders – only he’ll do it outside of the board meetings.

David Fournier also called out board president Miller, who he said failed to enforce board policy by allowing “repetitive, hostile comments to be directed at McKnight” during the Sept. 15 meeting, and asked senior board member Jeff Baden to use his voice to temper his colleagues’ baser instincts and to direct them toward more productive business.

Serving on the board takes great responsibility and commitment to the district, Baden said. 

“We have strong opinions and different directions at times, but we are not divided. Most of us are passionate about doing the right thing for the kids and the school and the community, and that is the common ground we aim to find and move forward,” Baden said.

Superintendent Kevin Herman has arranged for the state board of education to host a training session for the board, to go over best practices.

“Different perspectives should make us stronger as a board,” Herman said, adding that it’s important to disagree with dignity. “My hope is that as we work through all of this that we keep the focus on our students.”

McKnight, who announced during a special Sept. 18 meeting that she would step down at the end of the year – for personal reasons not related to the censure – said she has received dozens of comments from residents over the past month. She likened the community to a hibernating bear that’s been rudely awakened by what she calls the “overreaction” by the board. She said she hopes that her replacement will represent the entire community.

An application for board member candidates to fill the remaining two years of McKnight’s term is posted at anthonywayneschools.org. Applications are due Monday, Nov. 3. The board will review these applications and hold interviews for top finalists between Nov. 21 and the Dec. 8 meeting.

Leah Wuescher asked about the metrics that will be used for the candidates, and whether the interviews will be held in public. The district later confirmed that the interviews will be held in executive session. 

During the meeting, the board also:

-Congratulated the district’s staff members of the year, including fifth grade teacher Mary Dressel, art and technology teacher Bryan DeKay and Monclova secretary Claudine Strayer. 

-Heard Monclova resident Ryan Bauman asked the board to consider creating a subcommittee of community members to serve as the “eyes and ears” to attend area council meetings in order to give a seat at the table to the district when these community leaders make decisions on major developments, such as data centers, that would impact the district.

-Congratulated Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members for their excellence in representing the district during the international conference in July, bringing home several top awards. FCCLA is an extracurricular program offered to students taking Penta Career Center Family and Consumer Sciences classes at the junior high and high school. 

-Listened to Jim Conner, director of teaching and learning, outline the state report card rankings. Factors include state and end-of-course tests, achievement, progress, gap closing, graduation rates, early literacy and after-graduation readiness. The district ranked 30th out of more than 600 for its performance index, and Whitehouse Primary School placed in the top 1 percent. 

-Approved updates to board policies to keep up with changes in the law, including those outlined in Ohio House Bill 96. High school principal Jon Burke shared how a ban on cell phone use has resulted in students reading books in the media center or playing board games in the cafeteria or study hall. While some challenges remain with curbing cell phone use in those areas, implementing the ban has been pretty smooth, Burke said.

-Thanked two employees who plan to retire in 2026: Monclova cook Toni Baldwin and junior high teacher Jim Bolone.