The superintendent of the largest school district in Montana announced a middle school principal in Billings will remain in her position after being disciplined for offensive posts on social media.
Billings Superintendent Greg Upham says a July investigation into posts made to Medicine Crow Middle School Principal Nikki Hofmann’s husband’s Facebook account found Hofmann has been supportive of all students.
"I was comfortable that Mrs. Hofmann has treated students fairly her entire career and will continue to do so," Upham said.
Hofmann faced scrutiny for the posts that demeaned democrats, the Black Lives Matter movement, Muslims and women.
Hofmann has used the account to post about school operations.
The posts gained attention after they were shared by Not In Our Town Billings, an organization that advocates against discrimination.
Upham says Hofmann received a written warning about her behavior. The district will require her to attend training on nondiscrimination and will increase supervision for her position. Hofmann sent out a letter of apology to the Medicine Crow Middle School community Aug. 11. Upham says she must also work to rebuild trust in the learning community.
Upham says SD2 does not have a social media policy and that the district needs to improve in this area.
According to the Billings Gazette about a dozen people protested outside Medicine Crow Middle School last week, calling for strong disciplinary action against Hofmann.
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