After Facebook flap, West Ada teacher no longer at district

 

 

A West Ada music teacher no longer works for the school district, days after posting a Facebook comment with racial and sexual overtones, directed at Boise Mayor Lauren McLean.

Rita Soltesz’s last day with the district was Friday, West Ada spokesman Eric Exline said. She had worked as classical music director at West Ada’s Idaho Fine Arts Academy and Eagle Middle School, the Idaho Statesman reported.

Soltesz came under fire for a Facebook comment she had posted on a July 15 article published by the website Media Right News, outlining a recall campaign against McLean.

Said Soltesz, in comments quoted by the Statesman and several other Treasure Valley news organizations: “Her white supremacist hater (a–) needs to get laid! … by (Black Lives Matter) members. Should be a group activity … and make it go viral! … I’m still deciding if they should wear masks during the activity.”

Last week, Exline told the Statesman that Soltesz’s comment “clearly does not reflect the values” of the district.

Soltesz did not respond to a request for comment from Idaho Education News last week.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]

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