SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Board of Education has called a special meeting Wednesday to consider potential punishment for board member Natalie Klein amid growing calls for her resignation.
Klein came under fire last week after she shared a promotional photo of a high school girls basketball game on social media. The photo featured her two teenage girls who live in the Granite School District. Klein wrote the caption “Girls Basketball…” over the photo, and many believe he was hinting that one of the girls was transgender.
Commenters on that post accused one of the girls of being transgender and even threatened to sabotage future games. The girl's parents told KSL-TV that their daughter is not transgender and that Klein cyberbullied her because of her appearance. Her parents also called for Klein to resign.
Klein has since deleted the post and apologized on social media.
Growing fallout
Since last week's post, calls for Klein to resign have only grown louder.
The Salt Lake City, Murray and Millcreek city councils have called for her resignation, as has the Granite School District, where the girl in question attends.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deirdre Henderson also issued a statement saying Ms. Klein had “embarrassed our state” and called on the school board to hold her accountable.
Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deirdre Henderson condemn Utah Education Commissioner Natalie Klein's actions. Read the full statement here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XLZbfT4450
— Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) February 8, 2024
Mr. Henderson also spoke to KSL News Radio. She also said she thinks Klein should resign.
“Natalie Klein does not need to be in any position of authority or trust over children,” Henderson told KSL News Radio. “She has lost all confidence of her people.”
“The targeting, harassment and abuse of children in Utah was egregious,” Henderson said. “It's pathetic for an adult to do something like that.”
Some state lawmakers are also considering ways to hold Klein accountable.
Today's meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the State Board of Education offices in Salt Lake City.Be sure to watch it Jeff Caplan's Afternoon News We'll bring you the latest developments from 3pm to 7pm.
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