Anthony Wayne school board member will resign following Charlie Kirk reaction

WHITEHOUSE, Ohio — The Anthony Wayne Board of Education voted to censure board member Shellie McKnight Thursday morning, following several calls from the community for McKnight to resign over a social media reaction to a post announcing conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The Board also accepted McKnight’s resignation, which she herself proposed. 

The meeting began at 7:30 a.m. at the Central Administration Office. Shortly after roll call, the board went into executive session. 

Approximately 45 minutes later at 8:13 a.m., the board returned from executive session and announced the decision to censure McKnight. It was not a unanimous decision, with one person voting no.

McKnight will resign effective Dec. 31, 2025. The board voted to accept her resignation as of that date.

After the meeting, WTOL 11 spoke to McKnight. She said she would provide a statement later Thursday, and spoke about the board meeting that had just transpired. 

“I was very satisfied with what I offered and what they accepted,” McKnight said. 

McKnight faced criticism after reacting with a laughing emoji to a Daily Mail Facebook post announcing that conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA had been shot at an event at Utah Valley University.

McKnight apologized following the incident, saying she mistakenly selected the emoji and condemned the shooting. She has denied accusations that she has targeted conservative beliefs on social media.

The reaction prompted backlash across the community and online, where multiple posts called for McKnight to step down. Some still came to her defense. 

Several recent school board meetings were well-attended by community members. The board of education called for Thursday’s special meeting on Wednesday. In the news release, the purpose of the special meeting was described as being “to consider the discipline of a public official.”