Schoolboard vp's anti-Islamicposts online have some calling for resignation

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (WJBK) - Protestors outside the Roseville Schools Administration Building were calling for the resignation of school board vice president Alfredo Francesconi.

They are angry and upset about anti-Islamic things he's posted on Facebook, some of them dating back to 2015.

"It's reprehensible to say such comments," says Lena Kamil. "We all believe he should be stepping down"

Francesconi posted on social media things like a photo of Kid Rock wearing a T-shirt of a voter map of the US with blue states labeled as "Dumb f-ingstan," and a meme of the Twin Towers asking how we "went from 911 to being afraid of offending Muslims."

"I understand he has the right to free speech," says Meriam Uppal. "My concern is, when you are in a leadership role it is not appropriate to (share) these types of thoughts."

At Monday night's school board meeting, Roseville residents say Francesconi should step down.

"It's not up to me," said one man during public comment. "It is up to this gentleman to stand up and say this is enough and I shouldn't be in this position."

But, despite the public outcry, the school board says it has no power over the matter, citing he is posting on his personal computer.

Board members say they have asked Francesconi to stop posting offensive things on Facebook.

"I'm very sad that he did that," says Theresa Genest, the school board president. "I have told him time and time again, he not only hurt the community, he also hurt the board. If he didn't want to resign tonight, we can't make him resign."

"I believe in freedom of speech; I believe in the First Amendment," said John Kment. "He never identified himself as a board member on any of those posts; he never used a school computer. I don't have the authority to put any type of a sanction against him."

Francesconi left immediately after the meeting before the assembled media could ask him questions.