(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Area School Board is looking to censure one of its own after a board member wrote a profanity-laden social media post attacking federal immigration enforcement operations, President Donald Trump, and anyone who voted for him.
St. Cloud Area School District 742
Board member Natalie Copeland, who is also the executive director of LEAF 742 (Local Education and Activities Foundation), posted the message on Facebook. LEAF is a separate organization that serves as the fundraising arm for the district and promotes initiatives, including child literacy programs, math skills development, and the Adopt a Classroom project that helps teachers fund classroom needs. LEAF also manages endowment funds to provide supplemental funding for academics, activities, arts, and athletics.
Last week, Copeland expressed anger on Facebook over what she described as ICE operations affecting students. She wrote that her daughter was unable to focus on a forensics test, asking, “How can her brain think in fight, flight, or freeze mode?” She added that students were “on high alert” and were planning to activate car alarms as a warning system if ICE arrived on campus.
In her apology, Copeland said she posted “as a mother who was afraid for her child, and in that moment my emotions came through in a way that does not reflect how I strive to communicate, especially as a community leader. I have since removed the post, but I understand the impact has already been felt.”
Board Chair Shannon Haws will present a proposed Resolution of Censure of a Board Member. It can then be discussed and members can vote whether to censure. According to the Oxford Dictionary, censure is a formal, public reprimand or strong expression of disapproval for misconduct that doesn’t warrant expulsion but is considered serious enough to damage the reputation and status of a person or group.
Superintendent Laurie Putnam told KNSI last week that there has been no attempt by ICE to enter a District 742 building. “I do understand that there’s a lot of fear for some people in our community, but I can say with 100% honesty and transparency that ICE has made no communication with our school district. They are not looking to come into our buildings.”
The meeting gets underway at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, inside the district administration office at 1201 South 2nd Street in Waite Park.
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