Greenville, South Carolina, September 12, 2025
News Summary
Wynne Boliek, a teacher at Southside High School in Greenville, faced immediate termination after posting a contentious statement on social media regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. While offering condolences to Kirk’s children, Boliek’s remarks were interpreted as celebrating his death, leading to widespread outrage from political leaders and community members. The Greenville County School District swiftly condemned Boliek’s comments, placing him on administrative leave before confirming his firing amid the fallout.
Greenville, South Carolina – Wynne Boliek, a teacher at Southside High School, was terminated from his position on September 11, 2023, following a controversial social media post regarding the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In his post, Boliek expressed condolences for Kirk’s children, but stated he believed “America became greater” after Kirk’s death, sparking outrage and leading to significant scrutiny from political figures and the community alike.
The incident began when Boliek posted on Facebook shortly after Kirk was shot and killed at a debate event in Utah. His post, which garnered attention after being shared by several South Carolina political leaders, included a tone that many interpreted as celebrating Kirk’s death. Notably, U.S. Representative Nancy Mace and other prominent local politicians expressed their anger at Boliek’s comments, describing them as deeply offensive and unacceptable for someone in an educational role.
In response to the public outcry, the Greenville County Schools placed Boliek on administrative leave while an investigation was conducted. By the end of the day on September 11, the district confirmed the authenticity of the message and announced that Boliek was no longer an employee of the school system.
The district publicly condemned Boliek’s statement, emphasizing that it did not align with the values and standards anticipated of educators. Multiple political leaders criticized Boliek’s comments, expressing concerns about the potential normalization of political violence in educational settings. South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor described the comments as “twisted and vile,” calling for Boliek’s removal from the classroom.
Background on Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk was a well-known conservative influencer and co-founder of Turning Point USA. He was killed in a shooting during a debate event on September 10, 2023. His death triggered an array of political reactions and discussions around accountability among educators and public figures. Following the incident, many representatives emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism in educational institutions, a sentiment echoed by members of the Greenville County School Board.
Community Response and Future Actions
The community’s reaction has been predominantly focused on accountability for educators’ conduct, particularly in relation to controversial political events. A proposal was introduced to revoke Boliek’s teaching certificate in South Carolina due to his remarks. The Greenville County School District reiterated its commitment to professional standards, stating that all employees are expected to set a positive example for both students and the community.
As the investigation proceeds, the district has noted that it cannot provide additional information due to the personnel nature of the matters involved. This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the impact of political discourse on educational environments and the responsibilities of teachers in representing their communities.
FAQ Section
Why was Wynne Boliek fired from Southside High School?
Wynne Boliek was fired after posting a controversial message on social media that seemed to celebrate the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. His comments were met with outrage from political figures and the community.
What was Charlie Kirk’s role before his death?
Charlie Kirk was a well-known conservative activist and the co-founder of Turning Point USA, an organization focused on promoting conservative values on college campuses.
What consequences did the Greenville County School District face after this incident?
The Greenville County School District faced pressure to uphold professional standards among its educators, and as a result, proposed revoking Boliek’s teaching certificate in light of his remarks.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Individual Involved | Wynne Boliek, teacher at Southside High School |
| Date of Incident | September 11, 2023 |
| Context of Remarks | Commenting on the death of Charlie Kirk |
| Reactions | Outrage from political leaders and community |
| Outcome | Boliek fired; proposal to revoke teaching certificate |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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
Greenville County Teacher Dismissed for Inappropriate Post
Teacher Terminated for Inappropriate Social Media Post
Teacher Terminated for Inappropriate Social Media Post
Teacher Terminated Over Controversial Social Media Post
Teacher Terminated for Controversial Social Media Post
Teacher Terminated After Controversial Social Media Post
Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- Greenville Online
- Fox Carolina
- KKTV News
- Greenville Journal
- Wikipedia: Charlie Kirk
- Google Search: Wynne Boliek Greenville teacher
- Google Scholar: education professionalism political discourse
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charlie Kirk
- Google News: Greenville teacher fired 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.
