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Parents react to meme posted by SV official, claim post was insensitive to recent school shootings

A Seneca Valley school official received backlash Thursday for a meme he shared on social media.

Parents and others on social media voiced frustration toward Seneca Valley School Board President Eric DiTullio after he shared a meme depicting actor Matthew McConaughey speaking at a White House podium juxtaposed with a still image showing the “The Simpsons” character Krusty the Clown speaking behind a podium.

The shared post originally was posted by a media page called Being Libertarian, and included “The Simpsons did it again ... ” as a caption.

A screenshot was shared across multiple social media platforms, indicating DiTullio shared the meme on his personal Facebook. He did not add his words to the post.

People commenting on the screenshot images claimed DiTullio’s share of the meme was insensitive to recent events of gun violence. Some called for a public apology and DiTullio’s resignation.

“I’m disappointed that someone representing our school district would make light of a series of horrible incidents,” said parent Emily Drosch of Cranberry Township. “I’m also concerned because if he thinks it’s just a joke, it doesn’t instill confidence that he plans to keep our children safe.”

DiTullio, a Lancaster Township resident, is serving his third term on the board. His term expires in 2025. DiTullio also ran in May’s Republican primary for the state House’s 8th District but lost to Rep. Aaron Bernstine.

In an interview Thursday, DiTullio said people took the meme out of context, and through their comments, people jumped to their own conclusions about what he meant by sharing it.

DiTullio said the meme aligned with his position that celebrities, personalities and others who are not government officials should not be speaking on official matters from the White House press podium.

“There is an actor presenting public policy. There’s a problem with that. Actors shouldn’t be doing that. End of story,” DiTullio said. “I don't understand how people took it any other way.”

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