Southmoreland School District investigating teacher in connection with racist post

Southmoreland School District officials confirmed Thursday they are investigating a racist Facebook message purportedly made through a middle school teacher’s account.

Superintendent Vincent Mascia confirmed that the district and its solicitor, David Petonic, are investigating the post allegedly made Wednesday by teacher Richard Love. The message appeared as a comment on a post by Breitbart News, a right-wing conservative media website.

“The school district is aware of the post, and it is under investigation at this time. Because it is a personnel matter, our solicitor has advised us that is all we can disclose at this time,” Mascia said in a statement.

School officials declined to say whether Love was suspended during the inquiry. Aimee Love, his wife, is a member of the school board.

The post was accompanied by Love’s name and photograph from his Facebook account. It was made on the Breitbart page during a news conference Wednesday by President Biden’s administration addressing unemployment rates.

Love’s Facebook page has since been deleted, as has his LinkedIn account. The Tribune-Review was provided a screen shot of the post, which stated: “African Americans (blacks) are further behind because they don’t want to work. They would rather stay home and hold their hand out for a check from the government.”

School board President Michelle Williams confirmed the investigation.

“It’s currently being investigated by our school administration and our solicitor,” she said. “Unfortunately, the district cannot comment any further because it is a personnel matter, so I cannot say any more at this time.”

A recorded phone message at the Loves’ residence in East Huntingdon states calls are not being accepted. An email to the couple went unanswered.

A teacher code of conduct is not included in public documents posted on the school district website. Racism, however, appears to be addressed in the 32-page middle school student handbook posted online.

Under a section titled “philosophy,” students can be disciplined for actions deemed inappropriate by school officials.

“The Southmoreland Middle School community is committed to promoting a safe, healthy and inviting environment; one that fosters respect, caring and responsibility. Disciplinary measures are designed to change inappropriate behavior, encourage more effective habits of school conduct and promote the development of self discipline,” the student handbook states.

Students can face discipline for matters that occur off of school property but are deemed inappropriate by administrators, the handbook states.

The school board’s next scheduled meeting is 7 p.m. Feb. 11 via Zoom.

The district of about 1,900 students covers approximately 51 square miles in southern Westmoreland and northern Fayette counties.