Park Ridge-Niles School Board Member Resigns Over 'Vagina Screechers' Tweet

Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 board member Dr. Dathan Paterno has resigned, saying a Tweet he posted Sunday about last weekend's Women's March was "misinterpreted."

His Tweets, which contained various offensive terms for marchers, elicited shock and ire from the public. Paterno, a clinical psychologist, has since deleted his personal Twitter account.

"The 300 million pound Women March [sic] provides a strong argument for doing away with women's suffrage," Paterno wrote Sunday, in another deleted Tweet.

On Monday, he sent a letter of resignation to the board.

"In retrospect, they were inappropriate and pushed too far in some ways," he wrote, "I truly apologize for the controversy and distraction to the Board and District 64."

"We find it truly unfortunate that his personal views have become connected to the important work," superintendent Laurie Heinz told Patch. "We inspire children to become informed, caring and responsible global citizens...his comments do not reflect those of the Board, administration or staff."

Paterno's term was due to expire in April, and he was not running for reelection. The board says it has begun the process of replacing him and will announce a timeline to fill the position shortly. A District 64 Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday night at 6:30 p.m, with Board President Anthony Borelli set to address the issue in his opening remarks.

Image courtesy of District 64 Board