Central Bucks School Board Votes To Fire Guidance Counselor After Alleged Facebook Post
By Diana Rocco
DOYLESTOWN, Pa., (CBS) -- It was a full house at school district headquarters Monday night.
The Central Bucks West Board voted to terminate guidance counselor Marykate Blankenburg.
"She's a huge loss to this community and she made one big mistake for which I think she has paid a price," said parent Beth Darcy.
The school board voted nearly all in favor with one opposed, even after numerous parents and students showed up to fight for her job.
"Mrs. Blankenburg has affected my life a lot. I don't know if I could make it through high school without her," said a student.
"Don't destroy her entire career over a mistake," said Patrick McGee.
Blankenberg was suspended in December after a Facebook rant threatening to shoot people. It read, "If my child cannot get to the Eagles game due to protesters, I will personally SHOOT every one of them. You've been warned idiots!!"
The school board says it's a lapse in judgment beyond repair.
"Not only was the post troubling, inappropriate, threatening, the manner in which she responded to my conversations with her about her decisions were equally problematic," said Superintendent Dr. David Weitzel.
This is the second scandal to hit Central Bucks West after hazing allegations canceled their Fall football season.
"These kids at this school are going through a really difficult time and the tone has been set and I think the message they are taking is that you need to be careful, you cannot make a single mistake because the consequences will be fatal and your community, your school district will not support you," said Darcy.
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