ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) — Though it was not listed on the agenda for Thursday night’s High School District 214 meeting, people from different sides took the opportunity to express their views about a proposal to honor Wheeling High School graduate Charlie Kirk at his former school, one of several in the district.
It came after the conservative activist was killed in a shooting on a Utah college campus last week.
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“What rationale could they possibly have for not wanting to recognize an alumnus of their school who has had more profound impact on our country’s direction than anyone in his generation?” said Steve Blye, a supporter of the Kirk memorial.
Two opposing petitions on Change.org have garnered thousands of signatures each.
The proposal includes asking school officials to honor Kirk with plaques and signs throughout the school, establish district-wide chapters for Kirk’s political organization, Turning Point USA, and dedicate a day of honor in Kirk’s name, coinciding with the Presidential Medal of Freedom President Donald Trump intends to award him posthumously.
An opposing appeal, launched a day later, expresses condolences to Kirk’s family while also calling his legacy “divisive.”
“I cannot support my daughter’s school system honoring a man who spread such regressive, sexist, and harmful messages,” said Fay Costa, opposed to the Kirk memorial. “My daughter’s education is not up for debate.”
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However, it doesn’t appear either cause will be brought up by the school board, at least for now.
Superintendent Scott Rowe shared the following statement with ABC7:
“We are aware of the two Change.org petitions related to Charlie Kirk’s passing and actions District 214 should or should not take. The district is in the process of updating its procedures to apply for and assess the Distinguished Alumni awards and has existing policies that detail how students can start new non-school sponsored co-curricular activities. We will follow those procedures with these requests.
“While we continue to extend our deepest condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family and friends for this terrible and senseless loss, we will not hold a district-wide memorial as that would disrupt the learning environment at our schools. Instead, we encourage students, faculty, staff, and families to mourn and remember Charlie Kirk together at one of the many public services and vigils that are being organized throughout the community.”
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