Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik released the following statement:
"Last night, numerous constituents brought to my attention information regarding a Pre-K teacher in Fulton County who was wrongfully put on administrative leave for sharing one of my Facebook posts on her private, personal Facebook page. This widely-respected Pre-K teacher was outrageously escorted from her classroom and is no longer allowed on school property pending an investigation.
“Make no mistake - Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Department of Education, and Mayfield Central School District, this is unconstitutional, and I join the community in fully standing behind and supporting this teacher's First Amendment constitutional rights. This Soviet-style purging of hardworking teachers is Kathy Hochul's War on Students, Parents, and Teachers. Not only are New York's teachers forced to comply with Hochul's unscientific and abusive mandates negatively impacting students, including those with special needs, but they are also then illegally punished for sharing their personal opinions about the detrimental impacts these polices may have on their students.
“My office will be submitting numerous Freedom of Information Law requests to the New York State Department of Education, the school district, and school board. Any destruction or cover up of documents or communications is a crime.
“I am publicly calling for the full reinstatement of this dedicated Pre-K teacher, and I am calling for the resignation of any and all Administrators who made this wrongful determination.
“I will always stand up for students in New York's 21st Congressional District."
