COLLINSVILLE – Following the failed assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, a Collinsville High School teacher posted on Facebook: “Fuck Trump. I’m sorry they missed.”
The teacher, Stacy Hartle, then secured an emergency order of protection in Madison County Circuit Court against an innocent stranger she perceived as a threat.
Unit 10 school board took no action as of Aug. 7 and media spokesperson Kim Collins said she couldn’t comment on whether Hartle would teach when the school year begins next week.
Collins said earlier on Aug. 5 that the district had nothing to do with Hartle’s protective order against Billy Hayes of Caseyville.
Associate Judge Janet Heflin signed the order on July 25, after Hartle alleged that Hayes asked Collinsville police how much bond he’d have to post if he punched her in the mouth.
Hartle moved to dismiss the petition four days later, admitting she identified the wrong man.
Associate Judge Angela Donohoo granted the motion on July 29 but that won’t dispel the cloud that hangs over any subject of a protective order.
The true source of the reference to a punch in the mouth, Matt Paton of Missouri, said in an interview on Aug. 7 that he wonders who told Hartley the words came from Hayes.
“Somebody out there doesn’t like Billy Hayes,” Paton said. “They tried to set that man up.”
Hayes said on Aug. 6 that, “They knew it wasn’t me. Nobody has told me where Billy Hayes came in. Nobody.”
On July 13, the date of the attempt to assassinate Trump, Hartle received a message that the shooting of Trump was 100% staged.
Hartle replied on Facebook, “Also correct on the fake. Fuck trump. I’m sorry they missed.”
Unit 10 human resources director Kevin Robinson posted a statement on July 17, stating the school received complaints about staff comments on social media.
“While everyone has a right to their own thoughts and beliefs I am encouraging you to reflect on your posts and comments on social media to avoid the divisiveness that is becoming more common on those platforms,” Robinson wrote.
Hartle petitioned for an order against Hayes on July 25, stating he demanded she be fired “due to a comment made on a mutual friend’s Facebook page.”
She wrote that the comment had been removed.
She wrote that Hayes asked again for her termination and was informed it wouldn’t happen.
She wrote that Hayes called Collinsville police and spoke to officer Ross, “asking questions about how much the bond would be for assault and battery.”
She wrote that Hayes “mentioned finding me on the street to teach me a lesson by punching me in the face.”
She gave the high school’s address as her own.
Heflin signed the order on that date, finding harm would be likely to occur if Hayes were given prior notice.
She prohibited Hayes from entering school district facilities or offices and she prohibited him from possessing or buying firearms or possessing a firearm owner card.
She set a hearing on a permanent order for Aug. 8.
Hartle then sent Hayes a message stating, “You don’t know me but I’m here to apologize.
“I was threatened via Facebook and the police department by someone and unfortunately I was led to believe it was you.
“I was told to go to the courthouse and get a no contact order.
“Last night they informed me I had the wrong name and was apologized to profusely about not making sure I had the correct name.”
She wrote that he might get served with papers, “and I’m soooo sorry about that. I’m so sorry that this happened.”
In her motion to dismiss the order she wrote, “When informed of the incident the person making the threat’s name was not directly disclosed to me.
“It was insinuated that it was a man from a previous encounter when I asked if it was the same person.
“Unfortunately, this led to this order being placed against the wrong man.
“I was informed of the mistake and wish to correct the error.”
Next she sent Hayes a letter in a Unit 10 envelope, stating she mailed a motion to dismiss from Caseyville post office at 10:30 a.m. that day.
She wrote that she was scared for her safety on July 25.
“Unfortunately in the whirlwind of the afternoon’s events, everything just went very quickly,” she wrote.
“I was already out of town when I heard about the mistake, and I was not in my own transportation.
“Thankfully, when I arrived at the Madison County Courthouse this morning the order had not yet been served so it is not on the public record.
“I hope this letter helps mend any fence that was broken.”
She was wrong about public record, as courthouse visitors could view the file as of Aug. 6.
On Aug. 5, Superintendent Mark Skertich issued a statement about social media posts by a staff member.
“These posts were made outside of work hours and do not mention Collinsville Community Unit School District 10.
“They do not represent the district's views, as we are a nonpolitical public entity.
“While we cannot restrict or ask employees to avoid political discussions outside of work, we do expect them to maintain professionalism.
“As with all employee related matters, the district cannot disclose further information or comment.
“This situation has provided an opportunity to remind our employees to consider how their public comments might contribute to the current divisiveness on social media.”
Hartle’s opinion and the district’s response cost the district at least one freshman.
Paton said his son would have started ninth grade at Collinsville High this month.
He said he asked superintendent Skertich to do something about Hartle and Skertich said he wouldn’t do anything.
Paton said, “You can’t delete the way this woman thinks.
“I knew that I didn’t want someone like that around my child.”
He said he and his son’s mother moved their son to Missouri, “because of what Illinois is doing with these schools.
“The schools don’t want to do anything about bad people.
“Never do the kids come first.”
He said the words in the police report weren’t even his expressions.
He said he asked police what would happen if someone saw Hartle on Main Street and decided to take care of it because the school board wouldn’t.
He said they told him a punch in the mouth would be aggravated battery.
He said he was born Democrat and voted for Obama, Clinton and Biden.
“I never wished death on Mitt Romney or Donald Trump,” he said.
“I could never be a Democrat again. I don’t care if people make fun of me.
“It’s no different from Germany and Hitler.
“Good men stood by and did nothing.”