Greenville, SC, September 12, 2025
News Summary
A teacher at Southside High School in Greenville, SC has been fired following backlash over a controversial post related to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Wynne Boliek, who taught history and civics, was terminated after his post, which many deemed inappropriate, garnered widespread condemnation from the community and political figures. The Greenville County School District found Boliek’s remarks did not meet the professional standards expected from its staff, leading to swift disciplinary action.
Greenville, SC – A teacher at Southside High School has been fired following an investigation into a controversial social media post related to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Wynne Boliek, who taught world history, civics, and government/economics, was terminated on September 11, 2025, after offering thoughts and prayers to Kirk’s children and stating that “America became greater today” in his online statement.
The post, made shortly after Kirk was assassinated on September 10, received widespread backlash on social media, prompting condemnation from various political figures, including U.S. Congress members and candidates for governor. The Greenville County School District placed Boliek on administrative leave the day after the post was made as they initiated an investigation into the incident.
District officials concluded that Boliek’s message was inappropriate and did not align with the professional standards expected from school staff. As a result of this finding, Boliek was terminated from his position at approximately 4 p.m. on the same day. The school district reiterated its commitment to upholding professionalism and respect within the educational environment, which reflects the values of the community it serves.
Members of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, including State Representative Stephen Frank, publicly advocated for Boliek’s dismissal, expressing concerns about his suitability to educate children. U.S. Representative William Timmons labeled the post as “vile, hateful, and dangerous,” demanding an immediate response from the school district to protect the integrity of the educational setting.
Candidates for the South Carolina governor’s race, Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, echoed these sentiments, calling for accountability from the district in addressing Boliek’s actions. Furthermore, the district’s code of ethics emphasizes maintaining a high standard of conduct, indicating that unprofessional behavior, even outside working hours, may result in termination.
Video recordings of Kirk’s assassination reportedly circulated among teachers and students soon after the event, leading some educators like Dena Crews to highlight the importance of guiding discussions about such tragedies in classrooms. However, the Greenville County Schools did not provide specific guidance to teachers on how to discuss political violence with students.
Charlie Kirk was a notable conservative figure, serving as the co-founder of Turning Point USA. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife and two children, which further amplified the emotional responses to Boliek’s controversial online remarks.
Key Details
- Incident: Teacher-fire due to controversial social media post.
- Teacher: Wynne Boliek, taught history, civics, economics.
- Post Date: September 10, 2025.
- Backlash: Condemnation from political figures, public outcry.
- Action Taken: Placed on administrative leave, then fired.
- Comments Made: Boliek’s post suggested America was better after Kirk’s death.
- Kirk’s Background: Co-founder of Turning Point USA, survived by family.
FAQ Section
What led to the firing of Wynne Boliek?
Wynne Boliek was fired due to a controversial Facebook post he made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which was deemed inappropriate by the Greenville County School District.
What was in Wynne Boliek’s social media post?
In his post, Boliek offered thoughts and prayers for Kirk’s children and controversially stated that “America became greater today.”
Who supported the firing of the teacher?
The firing was supported by political figures, including members of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, U.S. Representative William Timmons, and candidates for governor Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace.
What does the Greenville County School District say about the incident?
The district concluded that Boliek’s post did not adhere to their standards for professionalism and respect, leading to his termination.
What is known about Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk was a prominent conservative activist, co-founder of Turning Point USA, and a father of two children at the time of his death.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Teacher | Wynne Boliek |
| Position | World History, Civics, Government/Economics Teacher |
| Post Content | Thoughts and prayers for Charlie Kirk’s children and statement about America being greater |
| Response | Widespread backlash from political figures and community members |
| Action Taken | Placed on leave, then terminated |
| Conclusion of District | Boliek’s post was inappropriate; does not align with district values |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Teacher Terminated for Inappropriate Social Media Post
Greenville Experiences Surge in Shooting Incidents
Two Arrested After Shooting in Fountain Inn
South Carolina Set to Carry Out Controversial Execution
Additional Resources
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
