An Oklahoma elementary school principal who performs in drag and was once arrested for child pornography has resigned following nationwide backlash.
Western Heights Superintendent Brayden Savage announced on Thursday that Shane Murnan, the principal at John Glenn Elementary School in the southwest Oklahoma City district, had offered his resignation.
The Oklahoman reports that the resignation won’t be official until the school board votes upon it at its next meeting, which is scheduled for February 12.
Murnan had worked for Oklahoma City Public Schools since 2015 and was hired by Western Heights in June.
Popular X account Libs of TikTok had posted about Murnan's drag performances under the name "Shantel Mandalay" in August — sparking calls for his termination. Meet Shane Murnan- elementary principal at @wh_isd.
Shane is a drag queen who performs for children and reads books about gender to kids while dressed in drag.
Shane was also previously arrested on child porn charges.
Would you want this person in charge of your kid’s school? pic.twitter.com/yNuZyt3HRK
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 30, 2023
"Shane is a drag queen who performs for children and reads books about gender to kids while dressed in drag. Shane was also previously arrested on child porn charges. Would you want this person in charge of your kid’s school?" Libs of TikTok posted, along with photos and a screenshot of an article about his arrest.
The child pornography charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Following the viral post, State Schools Superintendent Ryan Walters called for Murnan's resignation.
The founder of Libs of TikTok, Chaya Raichik, has since been appointed to the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Library Media Advisory Committee by Walters.
The Oklahoman reports:But since the August social media post, Savage said, the district has incurred extra costs for security and for hiring extra administrative help at John Glenn Elementary School. She said Murnan was often forced to work off-site due to threats received by the district. He recently went on paid administrative leave.Savage said the district has spent about $65,000 since August on those unexpected costs.“It is very sad, just a terrible, tragic situation,” Savage said. “When people question if (the situation) affects kids outside of the building, it affects everyone in the district, in that way. Funds being used (for this) could have been used in other ways.”
In December, Walters announced that he intends to propose "community standards" as part of the Education Department's hiring process.
