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W.Va. high school teacher suspended for Facebook post mocking gay group

W.Va. high school teacher suspended for Facebook post mocking gay group
David Foggin
David Foggin

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — A West Virginia high school teacher has been suspended following a Facebook post he made in which he appears to be mocking a planned meeting of the school’s gay-straight alliance.

Wood County Schools Superintendent Pat Law told the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that David Foggin, a science teacher at Parkersburg South high school, was suspended on Tuesday for four days.

“It will be until spring break,” which is scheduled to begin Monday, Law said. “He’s not in the classroom this week.”

The Wood County Board of Education will decide after spring break whether the suspension is paid or unpaid, and whether to make any changes.

The newspaper reported Monday that Foggin had posted an image on Facebook on Friday of a poster advertising the student club’s meetings, along with this comment:

“Club meeting at PSHS!! Rally around them and show ur support. We are also considering a drunks-t totaller club, drugged/sober club, smokeless tobacco vs smokes club, street racing, and deer poaching clubs. Please donate and support us. Thank u!!! I think I hear the drag already zinging.”

The post generated hundreds of comments, both in support of Foggin and those accusing him of bullying students.

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Foggin, who on Monday declined to comment on his original post, posted a cryptic message on his Facebook page Tuesday, claiming he planned to run for sheriff in 2020.

“I love everyone and I promote fairness and equality,” he said on Facebook. “I have difficulty with favoritism and bias given any person or group.”

Foggin then went on to talk about protecting the First Amendment, the right to free speech, through use of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. “Love you all. Get a concealed carry permit while u still can,” he posted.

Associated Press contributed to this report.
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