As a 1980 graduate of Norwin High School, I was very disturbed to read that Norwin school Director Robert Wayman incited violence in a Facebook posting (“Norwin rejects efforts to ask controversial director to resign; Censure move fails,” Sept. 21, TribLIVE). The Norwin School Board failed to remove or even censure him amid threats of legal recourse.
One of his statements encouraged “vehicles to ram Black Lives Matter protesters,” and he also posted “if need be we will use armed conflict” to ensure eight(!) more years of Donald Trump as president.
Inciting violence does not fall under the rights of the First Amendment. Lacking the courage to stand up to hateful and violent rhetoric from an elected official representing students of all races and sexual identity is extremely troubling.
Those who voted to keep him in office were irresponsible in their duties as members of the school board. Kudos to the three members who took their responsibilities seriously and voted unsuccessfully to remove him. The result of the action puts fear into any student who may feel and think differently from Wayman to speak up for their rights.
I encourage the school board to reconsider their actions and the negative message they send to the students they represent. Perhaps a civics course for the school board and director is in order.
Kristy Santimyer
Laguna Beach, Calif.