Western Heights Public School District in Oklahoma has come under scrutiny for its decision to employ a drag queen who faced arrest over child pornography allegations.
Dr. Shane Brent Murnan, 52, took on the role of an elementary school principal at John Glenn Elementary. Celebrating his new position, Murnan posted about a “new district and new respect” on Facebook, though this page seems to have been subsequently removed.
Back in 2001, authorities seized Murnan’s personal devices, suspecting him of possessing child pornography. Murnan, then a fifth-grade teacher at Will Rogers Elementary School in Stillwater, Oklahoma, faced arrest a fortnight after the confiscation.
“It was clear from a review of the pictures that they do represent child pornography,” Associate Judge Dave Allen commented, as reported by The Oklahoman.
However, Payne County District Judge Donald L. Worthington dismissed the charges against Murnan in August 2002. Murnan’s defense argued that the images were acquired unintentionally and that the age of the individuals in the photos couldn’t be verified. Consequently, Murnan lost his teaching position. After fulfilling probation for a drug-related charge in October 2003, Murnan’s record was expunged, as per the Oklahoma State Courts Network.
Murnan resumed his teaching career in a rural Oklahoma school district in 2007. By 2016, he had transitioned to an elementary school role at Oklahoma City Public Schools. Between 2020 and 2022, Murnan served as an assistant vice principal before his recent appointment as a principal.
Addressing the controversy, Brayden Savage, superintendent of Western Heights Public Schools, provided a letter to the Daily Caller.
“We understand the situation may cause concerns and questions among parents, staff, and community members,” Savage stated.
Savage emphasized that the district adhered to “usual hiring practices” when vetting Murnan, which included checking references and conducting a felony criminal background check. The district’s social media post acknowledged the past charges against Murnan.
“Recently, the district has been made aware of previous charges that were dismissed more than 20 years ago. Dr. Murnan has been serving the field of education for more than 25 years and has an outstanding reputation. He comes highly recommended from previous supervisors, colleagues, and educators.”
The letter further clarified the situation surrounding Murnan’s past allegations.
“According to news reports at the time, those charges were dismissed by the court, and the record of the charges has been expunged. Since that time, Dr. Murnan has continued to be certified as an elementary school teacher and principal, including having his certificate renewed in April of 2023 and signed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters. The State Department of Education would have conducted another felony background check upon renewing his certification.”
Reassuring parents, the letter emphasized the district’s commitment to a “safe learning environment” and their proactive approach to the situation.
Murnan, also known by his stage name Shantel Mandalay, expressed his sentiments on his drag page.
“Life is about experiences and choices. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions in my lifetime and learned from them. I’ve also made some amazing decisions,” Murnan shared. “One of those was becoming an educator. Having the opportunity to work with kids and encouraging them to do and be their best is so rewarding. Sometimes just making them feel loved or just putting a smile on their face is all they need.”
Outside the educational realm, Murnan performs at the Boom in Oklahoma City, a gay bar known for its “Sunday gospel brunch.” Murnan’s accolades include titles such as Miss Gay Oklahoma America and Miss Gay Oklahoma USofA. A post discussing Murnan’s dual life reads, “By day, she’s an Assistant Principal, molding young minds, but by night, she’s the life of the party.”
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