News Summary
A social studies teacher in Greenville, SC was terminated after making inflammatory remarks about the assassination of a conservative activist, sparking public outrage.
Greenville, South Carolina – Wynne Boliek, a social studies teacher at Southside High School in the Greenville County School District, was fired on Thursday following controversial comments he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Boliek’s statements, shared on social media, expressed the belief that “America became greater” after Kirk’s murder, leading to widespread condemnation and public outcry.
On September 10, the day of Kirk’s death, Boliek posted, “Thoughts and prayers to his children, but IMHO America became greater today. There, I said it.” This post prompted significant backlash, particularly from lawmakers and public figures, who took to social media to call for his removal. The Greenville County School District subsequently placed Boliek on administrative leave while an investigation took place.
As of September 11, the district confirmed Boliek’s termination from his position, stating that his remarks did not align with the values and standards expected of its staff. A spokesperson for the school district indicated that due to privacy reasons related to personnel matters, they could not provide further details about the dismissal.
The Greenville County School District emphasized its dedication to maintaining professionalism and respect for students, families, colleagues, and the broader community. In light of the incident, officials expressed a commitment to uphold these standards among all staff members.
The reactions to Boliek’s comments came quickly, with several prominent South Carolina lawmakers, including U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, publicly criticizing his post. This reaction reflects a growing concern over the appropriateness of educators’ remarks, particularly in contexts involving political figures and sensitive topics.
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina also weighed in on the situation, expressing condemnation for both Kirk’s assassination and the harassment of public servants based on their political statements. This highlights the broader implications of political discourse in educational environments and the balance between free speech and professional conduct.
Boliek had been a teacher within the Greenville County School District for a period, specializing in social studies subjects, including world history, civics, and economics. His comments about Kirk’s death have raised questions about the role of educators in discussing political matters and the potential consequences of such discussions in a school setting.
The post in question has since been removed from Boliek’s Facebook account, but the incident remains a focal point in discussions about accountability in educational institutions and the impact of social media commentary. The terminations and investigations following such incidents underscore the critical importance placed on maintaining a respectful learning environment.
With the dismissal of Boliek, the Greenville County School District has taken a clear stance against comments made by employees that may incite divisiveness or disrespect within the educational community. The incident serves as a reminder that educators are often under scrutiny for their public communications, particularly when those comments intersect with ongoing political controversies.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Southside High School Teacher Terminated Over Controversial Post
Teacher Fired for Controversial Post on Assassination
South Carolina Teacher Terminated Over Controversial Comment
Teacher Fired Over Controversial Comments on Activist’s Death
Teacher Fired for Controversial Social Media Post
Southside High School Teacher Dismissed Over Controversial Post
Teacher Fired Over Offensive Social Media Post
Teacher Terminated for Inappropriate Social Media Post
Teacher Terminated Over Controversial Social Media Post
Teacher Terminated for Controversial Social Media Post
Additional Resources
- WBTV News
- Wikipedia: Charlie Kirk
- WYFF News
- Google Search: Charlie Kirk assassination
- Fox Carolina
- Google Scholar: Educators Free Speech
- Greenville Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charlie Kirk
- WSPA News
- Google News: Teacher Fired Comments Charlie Kirk
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.
