WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Vigo County School Board member apologized Monday for social media posts that some community members found insensitive.
Over the weekend, a Facebook post alleged that Ken Warner had several posts on his page that included “anti-trans rhetoric”. Several community members voiced concerns during the board meeting, and Warner responded, saying he was sorry and he took full responsibility for what was on his page.
“I apologize to anyone who was offended. That was not the intent, it never was my intent, and it was something that maybe I should’ve thought through a little more and in hindsight I wish I had,” he said. “In no way am I at all anti for any group or any person.”
“I’ve never been anti-transgender, I never will be, in fact there are things that I’m involved in with the community that’s just the opposite of that.”
Those who spoke out included members of the Terre Haute 10. That was the group established last year during the investigation into incidents of racism at West Vigo High School.
Dr. Mary Howard-Hamilton said the group would like to see the situation with Warner addressed.
“We think it’s very important the school board adhere to the code of ethics, and that they remember that should come first, that there should be an ethic of care when it comes to being responsible or being an elected member of the board,” she said.
The group addressed the situation with Warner– but also some of its goals for 2024.
The Terre Haute 10 hosted a listening session last July, and Howard-Hamilton said they’ve spent the months since hosting regular meetings, including some with VCSC Superintendent Chris Himsel that she called “encouraging.”
Now, they hope to have another listening session in February, and Howard-Hamilton hopes to see more programming centered around diversity in the coming months.
“We’re wanting to hear from the board with regards to minoritized programming and we want to know at the next board meeting what type of Black History month programming will be facilitated,” she said. “We sense that everything’s gotten lost, there used to be an essay contest and some other programming for [Martin Luther King Jr. Day], but we really want something done for Black History month.”
In terms of the next steps with Warner, Howard-Hamilton said the Terre Haute 10 hopes to see an investigation of some sort.
Himsel and VCSC Board President Amy Lore did not speak with the media following the meeting. It was not immediately clear what authority the board has to punish or investigate another elected official, according to board policy.
