Pennsylvania school board member defends 'butterfly' post at heated Homer-Center meeting over Charlie Kirk remark
Homer-Center School Board member Misty Hunt faces calls to resign after a Sept. 10 post interpreted as celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk; she says the caption was about monarch butterfly conservation and milkweed seeds.
A Pennsylvania school board member faced a packed public meeting Thursday after a social media post tied to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew accusations of a celebratory tone. Misty Hunt, a long-serving member of the Homer-Center School Board, was at the center of a controversy that drew dozens of residents to the Homer City Elementary School gym, where attendance swelled to about 60 people for a candid, sometimes tense discussion. Kirk was fatally gunned down in Utah, an event that sparked widespread online reaction across the country.
The post, shared Sept. 10, read "One down, hundreds to go" and was widely interpreted as approval of Kirk’s killing. Hunt told attendees that the caption had been grossly misunderstood and that the post referred not to Kirk but to a video she had attempted to upload—an unfinished clip showing the dispersal of dried milkweed seeds for monarch butterfly habitat conservation. "My social media post was not made with Charlie Kirk in mind," Hunt said, insisting the caption was tied to a conservation effort rather than a political act.
Hunt’s explanation did little to quell the controversy for many attendees, who filled the gym to voice sharp dissent. The meeting was moved from its usual central office location to the school’s auditorium to accommodate the crowd, and security measures were in place, including metal detectors and bag checks, underscoring the tension surrounding the issue. The board’s discussions, originally routine, were folded into a larger conversation about accountability and leadership amid intense public scrutiny.
During the public-comment portion, critics attacked Hunt for what they described as an insensitive online post and demanded accountability. One speaker told Hunt, "The First Amendment is one thing, being ignorant and posting about a man’s tragic assassination is another—especially when you chose to post where thousands, including children, could read it." The remarks were met with applause from many in the audience. Another attendee argued that Hunt should resign out of respect for students, staff, board members and the community, urging residents to vote against her in the upcoming school-board election.
A former board member added that Hunt should step down, saying leadership at the district requires a level of respect and restraint that she had not shown. A third speaker challenged Hunt’s claim of ignorance, saying that freedom of speech does not excuse actions that have real consequences for students and staff. "Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences," the speaker proclaimed, later asserting that Hunt had previously attacked others online and had used vulgar language in some posts. Some attendees suggested Hunt’s online activity betrayed the values they expect from a school-board member and called for accountability.
After the heated comments, attendees gradually dispersed, and the session continued with routine matters. Hunt acknowledged that she had received death threats and that her family felt unsafe publicly; she said she had consulted with legal counsel as the situation developed. Despite the strong pushback, Hunt left the impression that the controversy would not derail her commitment to serving the district in the months leading up to the November elections.
In a briefing after the meeting, Hunt said she would step back from board duties until after the election, abstaining from votes and removing herself from the negotiations committee. She described the arrangement as a painful concession that she felt was necessary to avoid further disruption while the district handles ongoing matters.
On Saturday, Hunt posted again on social media to thank supporters who had reached out in the wake of the confrontation. "Thank you. All of you. For the check ins, the chats, the hugs, the prayers," she wrote, adding that she had been quiet while navigating a heavy legal and political moment. She concluded with a reflection that suggested finding perspective away from screens, writing, "If you find yourself overwhelmed by the Big-ness of the world, I suggest you turn off the screen, and step into the woods - for the trees do not judge us."