USD 231 Gardner-Edgerton administrators and school board members refused repeated requests from The Sentinel for the status of high school teacher Leslie Hanzelka, reportedly suspended last month following a controversial social media post about the assassination of conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
The social media site Libs of Tik-Tok posted a video from Carrie Schmidt, a parent of two Gardner-Edgerton students, in which Schmidt reported “word on the street” was that Hanzelka received a two-day suspension following her mid-September post on the murder:
“Meh, I’m saving my empathy for the children that got gunned down in Colorado today, none left over for the terrible person who considered the slaughter of children to be an acceptable price to pay so that inadequate white men can pose naked in front of a mirror with a machine gun and pretend they’re Rambo.”
It was Schmidt who sued USD 231 on 1st and 14th Amendment grounds after being banned from school property and activities by the Gardner-Edgerton school administration after her vocal opposition to sexually-explicit material was deemed by school officials to be a form of bullying. Schmidt eventually received a court injunction lifting the ban.
We reached out to Superintendent Dr. Brian Huff, School Board President Tom Reddin, and Member Lana Sutton and asked each about the status of Hanzelka. No response was received from the officials. We did, however, receive a response from Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ben Boothe, writing for the district:
“This is, and will be, our only statement on the matter. Hope this helps.
“We are writing to address two important issues impacting our school community’s safety, well-being, and trust. We take these matters seriously and respond to infractions accordingly.
“As you may be aware, staff recently made insensitive statements on social media that downplayed and dismissed the horrific decision of someone to murder Charlie Kirk.
“First, and most importantly, these statements do not reflect our thoughts, and we stand united in denouncing all forms of political violence. Violence and lack of empathy toward victims of violence have no place in our society, our communities, or our schools. We are entrusted with the education and well-being of our students, and affirm our commitment to fostering respectful dialogue, civic responsibility, and peaceful problem-solving.
Our schools play a vital role in preparing students to engage thoughtfully and constructively in civic life. We believe that differences in opinion must be expressed through open discussion, democratic processes, and mutual respect—not intimidation or harm.
We call on all members of our staff and community to model civility, respect, and nonviolence. By working together in this spirit, we can ensure that our schools remain safe spaces for learning and that our students inherit a society that values both freedom and responsibility.
Secondly, we have seen instances—locally and nationally—of individuals engaging in doxxing: the practice of publishing private or personal information about students, employees, or board members with the intent to harass, intimidate, or cause harm. This behavior has no place in our schools, in our community, or in civil discourse. Our district is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for every student and staff member. The deliberate targeting of individuals through doxxing undermines not only personal safety but also the integrity of the educational process and the spirit of open, respectful dialogue.
In closing, we recognize that healthy debate and differing opinions are vital parts of society and public education. However, disagreement should never turn into personal attacks. When that line is crossed, it threatens the very foundation of trust that allows us to work together on behalf of children.”
Sincerely,
USD 231 Board of Education and Administration
We had asked officials if Hanzelka had been reinstated, and if so, by whom, the school board or superintendent. Dr. Boothe’s response on behalf of USD 231 failed to answer those questions, and he did not respond to a follow-up email asking the same questions again.
We asked Carrie Schmidt for comment on what appears to be a two-tier system of justice used by USD 231, banning her from school grounds, and reporting her to law enforcement, while refusing to answer questions about a taxpayer-supported school employee’s conduct:
“USD231 branded me with a scarlet letter when they called the police on me, banned me from every Gardner-Edgerton event on and off their property, as well as ripped me from a board committee I enjoyed being on, all because I took photos of what students see every day on their school doors and walls. I was shocked when one of their teachers just got a slap on the wrist after making a public comment that not only demeaned Charlie Kirk, but scorned and showed disdain for white Christians, conservatives, and gun owners. The district showed that they will punish a mom for asking hard questions and protect the insider, even when the insider doesn’t follow their own social media guidelines.
“In my ban letter from the district the superintendent listed policies he said I violated; however, when questioned by a federal judge at my injunction hearing, he could not define what I violated in each of those policies. I won my injunction hearing. The judge said that the district overreacted and lifted the ban they placed on me. USD231 used me as an example to send a message to parents that if you question the decisions they make, then they will chastise and retaliate against you even if you didn’t break any policies or laws. It is clear if you are one of them, you will get special treatment. USD231 just set a dangerous precedent with their decision to take no real action against the teacher and showed their true values by standing behind her.”
The next Gardner-Edgerton school board meeting for USD 231 will be October 13th.
