The director of Olentangy Orange, who was placed on leave last week after an election message to staff, returned to her role Tuesday following an internal investigation.

last thursday Olentangy Orange Director Monica Asher was placed on administrative leave following a newsletter she sent to school staff that began with a reflection on the outcome of the November election that resulted in the election of Donald Trump as president. In the letter, she said she had “struggled this week to find the right words” about what to say about the result.

According to a letter sent by Olentangy Superintendent Todd Meyer to Olentangy families, Asher will return to school on Tuesday. He said in his letter Monday that “we have to take responsibility and learn from our mistakes” and that this incident served as a teaching moment for why the district has policies in place.

“We understand that Principal Asher’s intent was to remind our staff of the importance of unity and their shared commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all,” Meyer said in his letter Monday. “While Principal Asher violated our policies, she fully understands and acknowledges the negative impact of her message.”

Meyer noted that Asher issued an apology and “was disciplined in accordance with our policies.” It was not immediately clear what level of discipline Asher received.

Meyer also said that since joining the district in 2022, Asher has been “a very effective employee.” Asher was named the 2022-2023 Ohio Principal of the Year and is the current president of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, according to her staff bio.

More: The Olentangy Schools memo reveals the district warned against pre-election political speech

“I am confident in Principal Asher’s leadership and that she has learned from this experience,” Meyer said.

The district warned about political speech before the election

Before Asher was put on leave, the the district sent a memo to all staff warning about political speech and explaining policies that limit speech in the workplace, The Dispatch previously reported

The memo, obtained by The Dispatch, was sent to Olentangy Schools staff on Sept. 10 by Meyer and “was intended to help employees understand how to separate personal political activities from their employment.” The memo states that “no school employee has the right to divert any portion of scheduled work time to personal political activities.”

“Employees do not have unlimited free speech rights when serving in their official capacity,” the memo said. “Employees also do not give up these rights in their personal lives. The key is to keep these parts of life clearly separate and follow the expectations of the law and Council policies.”

In his letter Monday, Meyer reiterated that while staff are under no obligation to forfeit their right to free speech in their private lives, they are “expected to remain respectful and never attempt to use their professional role to support or validate personal opinions”.

Asher was placed on staff newsletter leave after the election

Asher’s letter, which was sent on November 10, says that in the wake of the election she “saw pain, uncertainty and division” and was “not entirely sure how to tell you how to move forward”.

“I can’t write a message that pretends the election didn’t happen, especially when so many of you are struggling with how to move forward,” Asher said. “I know you’re struggling with how to move forward with your students who are afraid, but also how to move forward with colleagues who don’t share your views.”

She also emphasized in the letter that Olentangy Orange High School will continue to be a place where “students, all students, find safety.”

“It will continue to be a place that not only values ​​diversity, but celebrates it,” Asher said. “Orange will continue to be a place where showing compassion and respect for those around us is a priority, where we recognize the humanity, dignity and worth of every person we meet.”

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Olentangy Orange CEO Asher returns after Trump’s victory message