New S.C. bill targets educator social media conduct post-Kirk’s death

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – South Carolina lawmakers are weighing in on what is and what isn’t acceptable for educators to post on social media, following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

A State Senator is proposing a new bill and Superintendent Ellen Weaver is writing a letter with the Code of Conduct for teachers, aiming to set clear boundaries for behavior both in higher education and K-12 schools.

Senator Mike Reichenbach (R–Florence) said he plans to file the “Remembering Charlie Kirk Act” when the legislature returns to session. He said the legislation is not only meant to honor Kirk’s legacy, but to make sure college campuses remain spaces for civil discussion, not violence.

“We’ve reached a point in this nation, and in particular in this state, where we have to ratchet down the dialog that leads to violence,” said Reichenbach.

The bill comes after several professors, employed at public universities, were terminated over online comments made in response to Kirk’s death.

Reichenbach’s bill would give colleges and universities the ability to fire employees who promote or condone violence, and protect schools from civil lawsuits when doing so.

The bill added that schools who don’t enforce a Code of Conduct could risk losing state funding.

“The consequences are that you run the risk of losing public funds because you are held accountable to a higher standard. You are in a position to ensure the safety of our students and our young people,” said Reichenbach.

While the proposed bill focuses on higher education, Superintendent Weaver is calling for similar accountability in K-12 public schools. One recent example involved a Greenville high school teacher, who was fired after allegedly posting on Facebook that “America became greater today” following Kirk’s assassination.

Weaver didn’t mention the incident by name, but in a letter to school districts, she emphasized that anyone who condones murder or political violence should be “disqualified from teaching or working with children.”

Weaver also cited legal clarification from the South Carolina Attorney General, who confirmed that districts will not face legal consequences for taking appropriate, disciplinary action in cases of employee misconduct.

She emphasized that her message is not to report teachers, but instead an effort to provide clear guidance and a framework for how to handle these situations responsibly and within the law.

“I think if you’re an institution that receives public funds, the first thing that institution needs to remember is that it’s not your money, it’s the taxpayer money,” Reichenbach added.

Some educators are raising concerns about how far this could go. Patrick Kelly, with the Palmetto State Teachers Association, made it clear he does not support celebrating death in any form.

“Anyone that, celebrates or finds joy in the death of another human being, that’s not good. That’s terrible,” he said.

His only concern is overreach.

“If we’re going to go down this slope of any statement that’s potentially disruptive, then where does that end?”

“I don’t believe it’s a slippery slope,” Reichenbach said. “When you crossed the threshold from offering an opinion to offering an opinion that condones or promotes or encourages violence, you have gone too far. ”

Kelly said nine times out of ten, he has seen school-related concerns be resolved through conversation. He believes that breakdowns in dialogue have been replaced by reactionary posts on social media.

“If we arrive at that place as a society, where any time an educator says anything that might upset someone else, that the educator’s job is on the line. Then that actually goes beyond just education. We are fundamentally chilling speech in this country when we get to that place,” Kelly said.

According to the South Carolina Legislature Code of Laws, Rule 40 states that “no act or joint resolution may include a provision designating that the act or joint resolution may be referred to, cited as, or the like by reference to a person’s or animal’s given name or nickname.”