School officials who lost the seat over a post

School board members and other local officials, from mayors to planning commissioners. 15 published news cases, 2015 to 2026.

Scan yours first Every case links to its news source. Names left out on purpose.

Compiled by Dave Fradette · Updated October 20, 2026

15 of 15cases ended with the person losing the job, seat, admission or license.
5 of 7cases with a known age involved content a year or more old.

In all 15 the person lost the role: 11 resigned, 3 withdrew, 1 had another outcome. The content most often concerned race (7), gender (5), politics (5).

By type: meme or image (7), post or comment (7), like (1). Of these, 1 involved a like (see all cases of likes costing jobs) and 7 involved a shared meme or image (see the meme and repost cases).

5 of the 7 cases with a stated age involved content a year or more old.

These counts come from cases collected here. They are not a survey and say nothing about how often this happens. Names are left out, and each case links to its source.

For how screening works for this group, see the Guide: before you file.

The 15 cases

Lost the role2026School board member, Cincinnati area, OHPosts denying the Holocaust and praising HitlerPost or commentSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Posts denying the Holocaust and praising Hitler
How it came out
Online outlet report 3 months after he was sworn in
Outcome
Resigned; he said the posts don't reflect his beliefs
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: WVXU
Lost the role2025Mayoral transition appointee, New York, NYTweets described as antisemiticPost or commentSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Tweets described as antisemitic
How old it was
10+ years
How it came out
A newsletter found them right after the appointment
Outcome
Resigned
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Lost the role2024School committee member, Millbury, MAA profane post insulting the president-elect and his supportersPost or commentSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
A profane post insulting the president-elect and his supporters
How old it was
Days
How it came out
Backlash from residents
Outcome
Resigned
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: Boston.com
Lost the role2024Board of education president (appointed), Chicago, ILFacebook posts the mayor called "antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial"Post or commentSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Facebook posts the mayor called "antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial"
How it came out
Came out a week after he was sworn in; council members said a simple search would have found them
Outcome
Resigned; he apologized
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: ABC7 Chicago
Lost the role2024School board member, Luzerne County, PAPosts about the then vice president that the outlet called racist and derogatoryPost or commentSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Posts about the then vice president that the outlet called racist and derogatory
How old it was
2+ years
How it came out
The local NAACP found them and sought his removal
Outcome
Resigned; apologized for the "racist undertones"
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: FOX56
Lost the role2023School board member, Kennebunk, MEPosts and memes the district called hateful toward transgender people, people of color and womenMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Posts and memes the district called hateful toward transgender people, people of color and women
How it came out
Screenshots circulated among parents; complaints reached the board
Outcome
Resigned; a recall had started
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Press Herald, NewsCenter Maine
Lost the role2023Mayor, Newport, OR40+ memes in a private group that OPB said denigrated women, immigrants and LGBTQ+ peopleMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
40+ memes in a private group that OPB said denigrated women, immigrants and LGBTQ+ people
How old it was
Up to about 7 years
How it came out
OPB report, then a protest at City Hall
Outcome
Resigned
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: OPB
Lost the role2020School board member, Union County, NCMemes questioning Black people's moral values and disparaging protestersMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Memes questioning Black people's moral values and disparaging protesters
How it came out
Other board members learned of the posts
Outcome
Resigned
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: WFAE
Lost the role2020Mayor, Blackduck, MNMeme joking about driving through protestersMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Meme joking about driving through protesters
How it came out
Screenshots were shared on other pages after the post was taken down
Outcome
Resigned
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: Brainerd Dispatch
Lost the role2020Provincial election candidate, New Brunswick, CanadaMeme CBC said encouraged violence against transgender peopleMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Meme CBC said encouraged violence against transgender people
How it came out
First reported by PressProgress, per CBC
Outcome
Asked to withdraw; barred from caucus
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: CBC
Lost the role2020City councilman, Gillette, WYLikes on a resident's posts that the council said showed misogyny and support for violence toward citizensLikeSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Likes on a resident's posts that the council said showed misogyny and support for violence toward citizens
How old it was
Weeks to months
How it came out
Council and staff reviewed his social media
Outcome
Resigned at the council's request on June 10, 2020; two days later he said he regretted it and would keep campaigning, but the council called the seat vacant and said it would fill it. He apologized
What to look for in your own history
A like on a post that demeans a group or endorses violence. A like counts even though you didn't write the post.
Source: Green River Star
Lost the role2020 to 2022School board member, Bennington, VTFacebook comments residents called racist, including remarks on eugenicsPost or commentSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Facebook comments residents called racist, including remarks on eugenics
How it came out
A resident he had blocked posted screenshots
Outcome
Asked to resign; no recall provision existed; lost re-election 1,375 to 680 two years later
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: VTDigger, Bennington Banner
Lost the role2020County planning commissioner, San Luis Obispo, CAShared memes the outlet said were highly critical of Islam or linked Democrats to NazisMeme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Shared memes the outlet said were highly critical of Islam or linked Democrats to Nazis
Outcome
Turned down a Citizen of the Year award, then resigned
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: CalCoastNews
Lost the role2019School board appointee, Virginia Beach, VAConfederate flag and Dylann Roof images; the school system called them "disrespectful and offensive"Meme or imageSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
Confederate flag and Dylann Roof images; the school system called them "disrespectful and offensive"
How old it was
About 4 years
How it came out
Found after the board's 9-0 vote, before swearing-in
Outcome
Withdrew
What to look for in your own history
A shared meme whose words demean a group. The scan doesn't read images yet, so a meme or screenshot needs a look by hand.
Source: WTKR
Lost the role2015City council candidate, Cambridge, MAMore than 120 posts on a forum the outlet called white supremacist, written as a teenagerPost or commentSchool boards and local office
What surfaced
More than 120 posts on a forum the outlet called white supremacist, written as a teenager
How old it was
About 10 years
How it came out
Surfaced a week before the vote
Outcome
Dropped out; he confirmed and apologized
What to look for in your own history
Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: Boston Magazine

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