School board approves filing recommendation to terminate employment

The employment status of a Creston teacher is up in the air after the Creston Community School Board voted Tuesday to approve a sealed recommendation regarding termination by Superintendent Deron Stender.

Melisa Crook, a CHS English teacher, was placed on administrative leave after a Facebook comment regarding the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

More than 20 people showed up in support of Crook at the very short special meeting in which Sharon Snodgrass moved to approve receiving and filing the recommendation for termination. The motion was seconded by Brad James. In the voice vote, Don Gee and Galen Zumbach also supported the motion. Dr. Amanda Mohr abstained from the vote, citing a “conflict of interest.”

The next step will be a termination hearing in which predetermined persons may address the board in support of the superintendent’s recommendation. Crook may also have persons address the board on her behalf. At the hearing, it will be up to the members of the school board to make the final decision.

According to Iowa Code, the hearing shall be held no sooner than 20 days and no later than 40 days following the receipt of Crook’s request unless the parties otherwise agree.

The incident

This situation comes as educators around Iowa and the country are under scrutiny for similar comments.

On a Facebook post announcing the death of Kirk, Crook commented “He is a terrible human being... terrible. I do not wish death on anyone, but him not being here is a blessing.”

The comment provoked immediate backlash, with various Creston community members posting online and contacting the school district calling for her termination.

The school district first acknowledged the situation on Wednesday, Sept. 10, with CCSD Superintendent Deron Stender sharing a late-night press release stating the district was aware of the post and was reviewing the situation.

A follow-up statement was released Friday, Sept. 12, sharing the unnamed employee involved in the situation had been placed on paid administrative leave as the school board and legal counsel reviewed the situation.

In a since-deleted Facebook post, Crook apologized for the insensitivity and stated it was not her intention to celebrate Kirk’s death.

In a final release the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 14, Stender said the situation was still under review and asked the community to show kindness and understanding.

“Now more than ever, I ask our community to extend the same kindness, patience and understanding that we so often see reflected in our children,” Stender said. “Let us come together to support one another, lift up our staff who do great work every day and focus on what unites us: the safety, learning and well-being of our children. As a community, we are in this together—and together, we can provide the safe, supportive and respectful environment our children deserve."