MILWAUKEE — An alderman is asking for Milwaukee Public Schools to "stand against hate" and discipline a teacher after his alleged controversial tweets about Rush Limbaugh's cancer diagnosis. The teacher has since been placed on leave, according to the district.
Ald. Robert Donovan responded to alleged tweets made by Milwaukee High School of the Arts teacher Travis Sarandos regarding political commentator Rush Limbaugh's recent announcement on his advanced stage cancer diagnosis.
A Twitter account believed to belong to Sarandos has since been deactivated, but screenshots of the tweets were cached on Google:
"The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) system makes much of the importance of inclusion, tolerance, diversity, and mutual respect. How, then, can it countenance the remarks made by Travis Sarandos, a teacher at the Milwaukee School of the Arts, via his Twitter account?" said Donovan. "He is supposed to be an example of the inclusive, tolerant, and respectful spirit of the Milwaukee Public schools. He is clearly nothing of the sort. And he did not make his remarks in private. He made them on one of the most public of platforms where any of his students could easily have seen them."
Sarandos is a part of the English department at the Milwaukee High School of Arts and teaches creative writing and journalism.
MPS released a statement regarding the social media post:
We are aware of Mr. Sarandos’ actions and can confirm that he was not speaking on behalf of any students or staff of Milwaukee High School of the Arts or Milwaukee Public Schools. The district is following policy and procedures related to personnel matters. Mr. Sarandos has been placed on leave pending further [investigation].
