The St. Joseph School District refuses to say if a teacher will remain in the classroom or be disciplined in any way after vulgar social media posts and alleged chants at an anti-ICE protest were revealed.

Human Resources Director Mark Korell sent a statement to The Heartlander on Wednesday afternoon. He acknowledged the report but labeled the controversy a “personnel matter.”

“I appreciate you making us aware of this situation. Since this is a personnel matter I cannot share details of next steps or any outcome with you but please know that we will look into this matter and address it in accordance with the requirements of Board Policy and the law.”

The district provided no further comment.

The response doesn’t address the specific concerns raised in our original report, which risks the district appearing to endorse the behavior by doing nothing to condemn it publicly. 

The controversy surrounds Lindbergh Accelerated Elementary School third-grade teacher Dakota Allen. 

Allen referred to federal officers as “Nazi scum” and imagined a scenario where fascism was holding a gun to his head in a post on social media.

A man who appears to be Allen was heard on video chanting “86 47” through a megaphone at a recent protest. That phrase is widely known as code for supporting the assassination of President Trump.

The Heartlander asked the district if these posts are appropriate for a third-grade teacher. We also asked if the district believes Allen’s description of his encounter with federal officers is accurate.

The statement from Korell didn’t answer those questions.