A teacher from upstate New York is on paid administrative leave after agreeing to advise a campus chapter of Turning Point USA. Jennifer Fasullo, a Spanish instructor at Charles W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, was placed on leave on January 30, shortly after she expressed interest in helping students establish Club America, which is linked to the conservative organization co-founded by Charlie Kirk, according to her supporters.
The district confirmed her leave while noting that they are reviewing the situation. “We are following standard procedures and can’t provide further details at this time,” Baldwinsville Central Schools communicated to parents in a letter dated February 10th.
In response, students have rallied for Fasullo, calling her a victim of spiritual and political bias, and they’ve started a petition for her reinstatement. As of Thursday, the petition had over 2,100 signatures. “We believe that no educator should face repercussions for their personal beliefs,” it stated.
“This teacher is targeted not due to academic performance, but rather her political stance,” said Jerry Dygert, Club America President, during a board meeting on February 9. “Our club works to foster political understanding through civil discourse, and losing a teacher who embodies these values jeopardizes that mission.”
Another defensively minded student remarked, “My classmates and I are puzzled about her absence. She’s not just a teacher; she’s a mentor whose wisdom and kindness are unmatched.”
Conversely, some parents are not in her corner and would prefer Fasullo to be let go. One described Turning Point as “scary,” mentioning in a Facebook post that “extremist views seem to impact young people the most.” Another parent expressed concerns about potentially allowing hate groups within the school, citing the possibility of starting something akin to a KKK chapter.
Caleb Slater, a Republican state Senate candidate and supporter of Fasullo, suggested that she’s being unfairly targeted to undermine conservative perspectives in a school where Pride flags are present. “It was the students who wanted this organization, not their parents or teachers,” he argued.
Some critics, however, argue that her leave wasn’t directly related to Turning Point, but rather stemmed from a conversation regarding a student’s sexual orientation. An anonymous parent claimed that Fasullo inquired about their daughter’s orientation while advising another Christian after-school group. These allegations have been deemed unfounded.
The Baldwinsville Central School District directed inquiries to a statement made on February 10. Fasullo’s husband did not comment on the ongoing investigation, and Fasullo herself was unavailable as she was returning from a missionary trip to El Salvador.
