Vail School District faces backlash after math department posed in “bloody” t-shirts

On October 31, 2025, several Vail School District employees sparked controversy after being photographed in fake blood-stained T-shirts with the phrase “Problem Solved.” It’s unclear whether the employees were mocking the violent death of Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk, who had been wearing a shirt with the word “Freedom” when he was assassinated. 

Charlie Kirk before being killed on Sept. 10, 2025

The following screenshot is sourced from the Twitter account Right Angle News Network:

Vail School District responded to the incident by stating, in part:

“We understand that a recent social media post showing members of Cienega’s math department wearing shirts that say ‘Problem Solved’ has caused some confusion and concern. The shirts were worn in reference to solving math problems. Any reference that these shirts were related to something other than that is simply false and untrue.”

In response to Right Angle’s tweet, one commenter posted a screenshot identifying all but one Cienega High School employee:

While the coordinated wardrobe has not been definitively tied to Kirk’s death, the photo drew attention from Kirk’s long-time friend and producer, Andrew Kolvet.

Kolvet tweeted that he believed the Vail employees were “mocking Charlie’s murder.”

According to Arizona Daily Star, Vail School District Superintendent John Carruth wrote in a now-deleted social media post that the public’s behavior towards the teachers “has reached a point of concern.” He claimed the employees were being “targeted online as a result of a ‘misunderstanding.’”

This story is still developing.

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In unrelated news, two Cienega High School students were arrested in August 2025 after a firearm was found on campus.

13 News reported:

“Two students were arrested after a handgun was found on the campus of Cienega High on Friday, Aug. 22. The incident sent Cienega High into a shelter-in-place, according to the Vail School District. 13 News has learned the two arrested students face charges of a minor in possession of a firearm, a minor in possession of a firearm on school grounds, and interfering with an educational facility.”

At that time, the district released a statement that said Cienega students were sheltered in place until law enforcement completed a security sweep. No one was harmed during the incident.

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The School Board Integrity Project will continue monitoring issues in the Vail School District. Please send tips and updates to info@rpredu.org.