KALKASKA — A longtime Northern Michigan school staff member has been placed on administrative leave.
The Kalkaska Public School District is investigating the Dean of Students, Daryl Dimon, for inflammatory remarks he made on social media.
He made a comment on Facebook about Charlie Kirk after the conservative activist was assassinated on the campus of a Utah university last week.
He said people are sharing a redacted version of what he said online.
“I made a comment on a friend’s post that it was a tragedy what happened to Charlie Kirk. And I wish it didn’t happen, although I didn’t agree he was a good person, but nobody deserves to die for that,” said
Daryl Dimon said he deeply regrets these comments he wrote on social media.
Some of it has been edited for adult language we can’t show.
Dimon said the situation seems far more serious because what was screenshotted, purposely omitted parts of what he said
“Someone redacted it anonymously and shared it hundreds and hundreds of times. And so, people were upset about that,” said Dimon.
And I get that they’re upset, if I would have only seen the redacted comments, I would have been appalled as well.
Superintendent Rick Heitmeyer said the district launched an investigation after receiving several phone calls, texts, and emails regarding those remarks.
“They took it negatively. So, we had a board meeting Monday night, and we had a number of people there who spoke in support of the employee and spoke against the employee’s actions,” said Heitmeyer.
He said 3 people spoke out against him, but the majority came out in support. He’s grateful for that.
“There was so much support. Parent after parent got up there and said I might not agree with Mr. Dimon’s political views, but all I care about is how he treats my kid,” said Dimon.
Dimon said he has been placed on administrative leave until they finish the investigation.
“To be honest, I thought I was just a comment between a guy I knew, and I wasn’t even thinking about that. But, you know, looking back, I need to be in a position. I meant I need to be more aware of that,” said Dimon.
Heitmeyer says a decision on disciplinary action is expected by the end of the week, but termination is unlikely.
“While it took on a life of its own, we heard a lot of comments, a lot of feedback. I think there’s you know, we’re all going to learn from this, said Heitmeyer.
Dimon said he’s definitely learned his lesson, even getting rid of his Facebook account.
“I could just be upset of the person who redacted the comments and blame it on that. But in the end, I shouldn’t have said anything. If I could go back, I definitely wouldn’t have said anything. There was no need to say anything,” said Dimon.