By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Wyandotte Public Schools Trustee Cindy Kinney resigned Feb. 25 following backlash over a social media post in which she indicated she preferred dogs to Muslims.
Former Wyandotte Public Schools Trustee Cindy Kinney
At a Feb. 24 special school board meeting, which Kinney did not attend because of a previously planned vacation, her fellow board members called for her resignation following the voiced concerns of meeting attendees.
School Board President Theresa Crnkovich explained during the meeting that the board cannot remove a member, since they are all elected officials.
During public comment, parents of students in the district and graduates of the school system expressed their outrage over Kinney’s racist social media post.
Supt. James Anderson also addressed the school board during the Feb. 25 meeting, and said he would terminate anyone working in the district who expressed similar views, calling it “unacceptable” and “not part of our school system.”
A social media post in which former Wyandotte Public Schools Trustee Cindy Kinney indicated that she preferred dogs to Muslims resulted in backlash that led to her resignation.
Board Trustee Nick Beaven-Parshall said Kinney’s social media post was “dehumanizing” and said the board condemned its content.
“We expect a higher standard from our public officials, and this content breaches public trust and stands in direct opposition to the mission, vision and belief statements of the district,” he said.
The School Board will begin the process of filling Kinney’s vacancy. The next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. March 24 in the city council chambers of city hall, 3200 Biddle Ave. The board also has meetings scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 10 and 17 at the Board of Education offices, 639 Oak St.
Kinney, who had served on the school board for 12 years, apologized through a written statement, taking responsibility for the impact of her post.
“It was never my intent to offend, marginalize or diminish anyone in our community,” she said. “I understand why many are upset, and I am truly sorry.”