District issues statement after local teacher’s social media posts go viral following Trump’s win
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POCATELLO — A local school district has released a statement after a string of social media posts written by a teacher went viral over the weekend with over 1.3 million views.
Libs of TikTok, a right-wing social media account, shared a screenshot from Century High School instructor Lori Lombard’s social media conversation with Rockland resident Michael McClanahan.
Since being posted Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter, the tweet has received 54,000 likes, 22,000 shares and 2,800 comments.
Meet Lori Lombard, a teacher at Century High School in Idaho, who reportedly made posts wishing unwanted pregnancies on those who are voting differently than her.
These are the people teaching your kids. pic.twitter.com/l2RnOxA8Pk
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 8, 2024
Century High School’s website lists Lombard as a Career Technical Education teacher.
The Facebook comments were originally made Nov. 5 on a “Donald Trump wins Idaho” article published on the Idaho State Journal Facebook page.
The full conversation is no longer available online, but screenshots were shared in the “Life in Pocatello” Facebook group.
One hour after Trump’s victory in Idaho was shared, Lombard wrote her initial post.
“This just goes to show that Idahoans don’t pay attention to real data and what a terrible job he did and don’t care about felony convictions. We should do away with criminal background checks in this state as most citizens don’t care if someone lied, stole, and frauded banks and taxpayers out of millions. Any felon deserves a job,” she commented.
In response, McClanahan posted a meme of Trump with the words “Nobody cares.”
Lombard’s reply quickly descended into crude insults and taunts.
“I hope your mistress or daughter have an unwanted pregnancy, wait, I looked at your picture, you don’t have a mistress…and probably never got anyone to have a daughter by you unless it was by force,” she wrote.
“Seriously Michael, cover your profile picture. You are pathetic looking and are opening yourself to ridicule. Everyone will know you can’t get a woman and don’t have children unless you forced yourself on some poor woman.”
The full exchange can be viewed on this video.
EastIdahoNews.com reached out to Lombard multiple times asking for context or a response, but we have not received a reply.
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 released an official statement on Sunday “regarding recent social media interaction involving an employee.” The district did not name Lombard or refer directly to her comments.
“Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is aware of concerns regarding a recent social media interaction involving one of our teachers. These concerns have been forwarded to the district and school administration for review. We take them very seriously,” the statement said. “The district expects respectful dialogue and will address concerns constructively. Ensuring everyone’s safety and well-being is our top priority. Any threats or harassment will be referred to the proper authorities.”
The statement said the district is limited in what it can say due to the issue being a “personnel matter” but stressed the importance of balancing “individual free speech with the responsibilities of educators as role models. In the classroom and school setting, our teachers focus on the curriculum, not personal/political views.”
“While personal opinions shared outside school hours on personal social media and unrelated to the school district are protected, we realize those expressions may impact the community,” the statement said. “Whether in agreement or not, the district is not responsible for employees’ conduct or speech outside the school setting.”