OKLAHOMA CITY (CITC) — An Oklahoma school district hired a new elementary school principal this summer despite knowing that he previously faced child pornography charges.
The Western Heights School District (WHSD) hired Dr. Shane Murnan to lead John Glenn Elementary School in June. On the evening of Murnan's hiring, WHSD shared on its Facebook page that it had recently "been made aware of previous charges that were dismissed more than 20 years ago."
While the district did not expand on the nature of those "charges" at the time, social media posts surfaced this week alleging that Murnan previously faced child pornography charges. Social media users pointed to previous local reporting on an individual with the same name being accused of possessing "pornographic images of children under the age of 18" while teaching fifth grade at another Oklahoma elementary school.
In a letter sent to families Wednesday and shared with Crisis in the Classroom (CITC), WHSD said that at the time of "recommendation," the district gave its school board "all of the information" it had regarding Murnan. The board then voted to approve Murnan's hiring.
According to news reports at the time, those charges were dismissed by the court, and the record of the charges has been expunged," the letter written by WHSD Superintendent Brayden Savage reads. "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."
In a statement to CITC Thursday, the Oklahoma State Department of Education said "anything that might expose kids to inappropriate sexual content at school is cause for serious concern to parents," and that the department is "looking into all accusations and will take any necessary action to protect kids."
In the letter, WHSD notes that it "followed its usual hiring practices," including conducting a felony criminal background check of Murnan.
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"Please know we are aware of the situation and handling this matter with the utmost attention and care," the letter continues.
Many on social media expressed outrage over the district hiring someone with past child pornography charges regardless of the fact they were dropped.
"I don’t care what you identify as, how does one get a job working with KIDS after a [child pornography] charge?" one commenter asked on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Social media users have also alleged that Murnan performs drag shows and hosts drag read-alongs with children under the name Shantel Mandalay. One post includes a screenshot from the Facebook page of Oklahoma's Metropolitan Library System, where the library system advertised a June 2021 "storytime" with "drag queen Miss Shantel Mandalay."
A Facebook page under the name Shantel Mandalay contains a post dated June 12 celebrating being named "a head principal of a dual language school." The post was made the same evening WHSD officially hired Murnan.
WHSD began offering enrollment for pre-K dual language services at some of its schools this year, including John Glenn Elementary, where Murnan is principal.
CITC has reached out to confirm whether Mandalay and Murnan are the same individual, as well as to obtain comment from Mandalay.
CITC also asked WHSD whether an official investigation will be opened into the matter, but did not receive details beyond the letter to families.