Texas High School Teacher Placed on Leave, Could Be Fired Over Jaw-Dropping Ferguson Tweet

A high school English teacher in Duncanville, Texas, has been placed on leave without pay and could ultimately be fired over a "reprehensible" Ferguson-related tweet she allegedly posted on Friday.

In the jaw-dropping tweet, Vinita Hegwood reportedly said she doesn't give a "f***" which "dumb duck (sic) ass crackers" think about the ongoing tensions in Ferguson, Missouri. She concluded the tweet by telling those people to "Kill yourselves." The social media storm started brewing almost immediately.

Image: Twitter

The tweet in question was re-tweeted more than 500 times before Hegwood deleted it and deactivated the account.

Many Twitter users saw Hegwood's comments and shared their displeasure. The teacher responded with more vitriol.

@DuncanvilleISD @wfaachannel8 Here's your public school teacher, Vinita Hegwood: pic.twitter.com/C8xLUSkJBs

— JewishJihadi™ (@blastedsilver) November 9, 2014

As the online outrage and calls for action grew louder, the Duncanville Independent School District (DISD) responded on Sunday.

"As an individial, Ms. Vinita Hegwood expressed an opinion on social media that is solely her own. She used her personal social media account to make remarks that are offensive. While everyone has the right to free speech, as a teacher in the district, we believe comments alleged to be made by Ms. Hegwood are absolutely reprehensible and we do not condone it."

Image: Duncanvilleisd.org

To some, the initial statement from the school seemed to condone Hegwood's statement and sparked even more reaction from the social media community.

In reading the racist, profanity-filled tweets of DHS teacher Vinita Hegwood I would accept nothing less than her dismissal @DuncanvilleISD

— Eye on Duncanville (@ObservingDville) November 10, 2014

Late Sunday, the school district announced Vinita Hegwood was suspended without pay. The news was posted on Twitter within minutes.

Racist teacher who supports #Ferguson who told white people 2 kill themselves suspended w/o pay Social Media Works! pic.twitter.com/PHfKju5Lvy

— Wayne Dupree ★彡 (@WayneDupreeShow) November 10, 2014

Monday, the school released the following video announcing Hegwood's suspension:

While the local Fox station reported that Hegwood would likely be fired, the school district officials stressed that termination would require a different process.

From the official release posted on the DISD website, "Under state law, a school district’s Board of Trustees 'fires' staff members, and the district will pursue that action with the board soon."

Watch the local coverage from WFAA below:

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)

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Follow Mike Opelka (@Stuntbrain) on Twitter.

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