WYANDOTTE, Mich. – The majority of the Wyandotte School Board members adopted a resolution Tuesday evening condemning a board member’s social media comment and calling for her resignation after residents packed a special meeting to demand accountability.
The meeting was called after Cindy Kinney, a member of the school board, posted a comment on a Facebook post that compared Muslims to dogs, sparking swift backlash from parents, board members, and school officials.
Board members called the post dehumanizing, saying Kinney’s actions are inconsistent with the district’s commitment to inclusion.
“When mistakes like this happen, they are unacceptable, and accountability should be taken. Sadly, it was not taken soon enough,” said Kathy Kane, vice president of the board.
Kinney did not attend the meeting, saying she was on a preplanned vacation.
A statement she provided to the board was read aloud by another board member.
“To the Wyandotte community, I want to sincerely apologize for my recent Facebook post that has caused hurt and concern.
I take responsibility for that impact. I want to be clear that I respect people of all faiths and backgrounds.
It was never my intention to offend, marginalize or diminish anyone in our community.
I understand why many were upset, and I am truly sorry. I also want to address that I am currently on a previously planned vacation.
This trip was scheduled well in advance, and I am not avoiding or running away from this issue.
I remain committed to addressing concerns directly and having meaningful conversations upon my return.
Most importantly, my first priority continues to be the students of Wyandotte. Serving the young people in the city of Wyandotte has always been at the heart of my work, and that commitment has not changed.
I am dedicated to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for every student and family in our community. I am listening, learning, and committed.”
Cindy Kinney
Board members rejected the apology as insufficient and passed a resolution condemning the post and reaffirming that Kinney’s comments do not reflect the opinions of the board.
“Regarding the apology that was read tonight, an apology that focuses on those who were offended, rather than taking full ownership of the bigotry expressed, is not accountability,” said trustee Nick Beaven-Parshall.
“I want the community to know that I work with over 700 dedicated and hardworking employees for Wyandotte Public Schools,” said Superintendent James Anderson. “However, if any of those 700 people, myself included, had done what happened this weekend, I would be accepting their resignation or taking more formal action to terminate employment with this district.”
The post has also sparked backlash from the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), with Executive Director Dawud Walid also calling for Kinney to resign.
“An apology is great, thank you for apologizing, but as all the board members also said, a resignation is a lot better than an apology,” said Wyandotte City Councilwoman Adriana Cerulla.
“I hope to see her in the future at future board meetings. If she decides to stay on, I would love to hear her resignation in person,” said resident Heather Harris, whose child is a student in the district.
The Wyandotte School Board’s full statement can be read here.