A member of the Little Miami Schools Board of Education is out.Just a few months after being elected to the board, Dan Smith has resigned over posts made on social media that “raised serious concerns.”In posts on a personal social media account, there are praises for Hitler and another denying the Holocaust.WLWT has obtained his resignation letter, which gives some insight into the situation.Smith wrote, in part, “I want to be clear that those posts do not accurately reflect my beliefs or my respect for all members of our community. I reject antisemitism and hatred in all forms, and I take responsibility for the impact my words have had.”His full resignation letter can be read at the bottom of this story.In its own statement, the board accepted Smith’s resignation, saying the posts “raised serious concerns and do not reflect the standards expected of those serving in public office.” The district’s full statement can be read at the bottom of this story.The move comes after a difficult time for the school board. Just last week, another member called for the board’s president to resign after the district released a statement defending the removal of a classroom poster that read “hate has no home here,” while also referencing the LGBTQ and transgender pride flags.Smith was one of the board members who supported the poster’s removal.”When you label all those different rainbow things there and the trans things, you’re identifying with that, and you expect us to love that and even like it, but we don’t,” he said during a board meeting where the poster’s removal was discussed.The school board has scheduled a special meeting for Friday. One of the items on the agenda is the timeline and process to fill the board’s vacancy. Smith’s full resignation letter can be read below:Dear Members of the Board and the Little Miami Community,After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as a member of the Little Miami Board of Education, effective immediately.Recent attention to posts from my personal social media accounts has created a situation that risks distracting from the important work of the district. Some of those posts were wrong, inaccurate, and written without the care and thought that someone serving in public office should exercise. I regret the offense and concern they have caused.I want to be clear that those posts do not accurately reflect my beliefs or my respect for all members of our community. I reject antisemitism and hatred in all forms, and I take responsibility for the impact my words have had.Serving on the Board of Education carries a responsibility to represent and support every student and family in the district. Because I do not want this situation to distract from the work of the Board or the mission of the district, I believe stepping aside at this time is in the best interest of the community.I am also deeply grateful to the voters and supporters who placed their trust in me during the recent election. I regret that my actions have let many of you down. My hope is that the Board will soon appoint a successor who can continue the important work of supporting the students, families, and staff of the Little Miami Local School District.It has been an honor to serve this community. I appreciate the dedication of my fellow board members, district leadership, and educators who work every day on behalf of our students.Sincerely,Dan M. SmithThe board’s full statement regarding Smith’s resignation can be read below:The Little Miami Board of Education has received and accepted the resignation of Board Member Dan Smith, effective immediately.The Board recently became aware of social media posts from Mr. Smith that raised serious concerns and do not reflect the standards expected of those serving in public office.Mr. Smith has acknowledged that these posts were wrong and has accepted responsibility for the impact they have had. While he has indicated that the posts do not reflect his actual beliefs, the Board agrees with his decision that stepping aside is in the best interest of the district so that the focus can remain on serving our students and families.The Little Miami Local School District remains committed to providing a respectful and welcoming environment for every student. The Board will follow the process established under Ohio law to fill the vacant seat and will continue its work on behalf of the community.

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio —

A member of the Little Miami Schools Board of Education is out.

Just a few months after being elected to the board, Dan Smith has resigned over posts made on social media that “raised serious concerns.”

In posts on a personal social media account, there are praises for Hitler and another denying the Holocaust.

WLWT has obtained his resignation letter, which gives some insight into the situation.

Smith wrote, in part, “I want to be clear that those posts do not accurately reflect my beliefs or my respect for all members of our community. I reject antisemitism and hatred in all forms, and I take responsibility for the impact my words have had.”

His full resignation letter can be read at the bottom of this story.

In its own statement, the board accepted Smith’s resignation, saying the posts “raised serious concerns and do not reflect the standards expected of those serving in public office.”

The district’s full statement can be read at the bottom of this story.

The move comes after a difficult time for the school board. Just last week, another member called for the board’s president to resign after the district released a statement defending the removal of a classroom poster that read “hate has no home here,” while also referencing the LGBTQ and transgender pride flags.

Smith was one of the board members who supported the poster’s removal.

“When you label all those different rainbow things there and the trans things, you’re identifying with that, and you expect us to love that and even like it, but we don’t,” he said during a board meeting where the poster’s removal was discussed.

The school board has scheduled a special meeting for Friday. One of the items on the agenda is the timeline and process to fill the board’s vacancy.

Smith’s full resignation letter can be read below:

Dear Members of the Board and the Little Miami Community,

After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as a member of the Little Miami Board of Education, effective immediately.

Recent attention to posts from my personal social media accounts has created a situation that risks distracting from the important work of the district. Some of those posts were wrong, inaccurate, and written without the care and thought that someone serving in public office should exercise. I regret the offense and concern they have caused.

I want to be clear that those posts do not accurately reflect my beliefs or my respect for all members of our community. I reject antisemitism and hatred in all forms, and I take responsibility for the impact my words have had.

Serving on the Board of Education carries a responsibility to represent and support every student and family in the district. Because I do not want this situation to distract from the work of the Board or the mission of the district, I believe stepping aside at this time is in the best interest of the community.

I am also deeply grateful to the voters and supporters who placed their trust in me during the recent election. I regret that my actions have let many of you down. My hope is that the Board will soon appoint a successor who can continue the important work of supporting the students, families, and staff of the Little Miami Local School District.

It has been an honor to serve this community. I appreciate the dedication of my fellow board members, district leadership, and educators who work every day on behalf of our students.

Sincerely,
Dan M. Smith

The board’s full statement regarding Smith’s resignation can be read below:

The Little Miami Board of Education has received and accepted the resignation of Board Member Dan Smith, effective immediately.

The Board recently became aware of social media posts from Mr. Smith that raised serious concerns and do not reflect the standards expected of those serving in public office.

Mr. Smith has acknowledged that these posts were wrong and has accepted responsibility for the impact they have had. While he has indicated that the posts do not reflect his actual beliefs, the Board agrees with his decision that stepping aside is in the best interest of the district so that the focus can remain on serving our students and families.

The Little Miami Local School District remains committed to providing a respectful and welcoming environment for every student. The Board will follow the process established under Ohio law to fill the vacant seat and will continue its work on behalf of the community.