Wisconsin Teacher Who Traveled To D.C. Wednesday Put On Leave

BURLINGTON, WI—A high school teacher in the Burlington Area School District was placed on leave after traveling to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday and after a student questioned an assignment, according to a news release.

According to an email sent to his pupils obtained by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the teacher explained the reason for his trip.

"I am sorry; but standing up for election integrity and our right to vote in FAIR elections is too important for me to NOT be there," the email from the teacher said in the Milwaukee Journal report.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the teacher also shared voter fraud conspiracy theories in class such as posting assignment directions for a YouTube video titled "Giuliani: 650K Illegal Ballots."

It wasn't clear if the teacher was part of the group that participated in the violent demonstration at the U.S. Capitol. Angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, marching through the building, shouting and waving flags as proceedings were planned to certify Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. Five people have died from injuries or medical emergencies experienced during the Capitol unrest on Wednesday.

The Burlington Area School District released the following press release:

"On January 6, 2021, many of us were stunned by the events at our nation’s capital. The Burlington Area School District condemns the actions that took place in the United States Capitol. We also wish to express our gratitude to those who maintained public safety and express our sympathy to the families of people who were injured or lost their lives.

We are aware that a district employee, a teacher at BHS, shared with the teacher’s classes plans to travel to Washington D.C. School administration became aware of this on Tuesday afternoon when a student came forward to question an assignment posted in the teacher’s Google Classroom. The teacher used personal time off and the trip to Washington D.C. was not related to any duties as a teacher.

An internal investigation has been launched into information this teacher posted in Google Classroom. The teacher has been placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave so that we can investigate the totality of the circumstances, as we have not yet had an opportunity to speak with this teacher.

As an institution, the Burlington Area School District does not agree with the violence and criminal activity in Washington D.C. In a time that has no precedent, we recognize that within our district, we have varying perspectives. We feel an urgency to embrace our entire community of learners as we seek to explore diverse ideas without bias."