( CNN ) -- Kansas Gov . Sam Brownback apologized Monday for what he called his staff 's `` overreaction '' to a disparaging tweet directed at him by a high school senior during a state Capitol visit . Emma Sullivan , 18 , said late Sunday that a Brownback staffer had notified her school 's principal about the tweet , and the principal told her she had to write an apology to the governor . On Monday -- the deadline for the letter , according to the teen -- the Shawnee Mission School District issued a statement stating that `` she is not required to write a letter of apology to the governor . '' A statement issued by Brownback on Monday did not reference Sullivan by name or mention the prospect of any apology letter . He did emphasize his support for `` freedom of speech , '' while thanking `` the thousands of Kansas educators who remind us daily of our liberties , as well as the values of civility and decorum . '' `` My staff overreacted to this tweet , and for that I apologize , '' the governor said . `` Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms . '' KSHB : School district responds . The teen made national headlines last week for a tweet she said was intended just for her friends . During a Kansas Youth in Government field trip to the state Capitol on November 21 , Sullivan wrote : `` Just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked , in person # heblowsalot . '' The Shawnee Mission East senior said she did not actually talk to Brownback , and the post referenced a joke she had with a student on the trip . The next day , she was called into high school Principal Karl Krawitz 's office . `` I had no idea what it was about or why I was being called into the office , '' she said . `` I had never been in trouble before . '' Sullivan claimed that the principal `` told me he needed to do damage control and was really upset . '' Opinion : The girl who dared tweet Gov . Brownback . `` He said I was an embarrassment to the school and the school district and that I had been disrespectful , '' she added . The principal then asked her to write a letter of apology to Brownback and his staff . He set Monday as the due date for the letter . CNN contacted Krawitz 's office but received no response . Sullivan said Sunday night -- when she still thought the apology letter was due -- that she would n't write it , adding that her parents and many of her peers supported her decision . `` I do n't think I should write the letter , and I do n't think it would be the best move for me , '' she said . `` At this time , I do not think an apology would be a sincere thing for me to do . '' But that appeared to become a moot point when `` district officials '' in Shawnee Mission reviewed the case and asserted Monday that no apology was required and that no `` further action '' is expected on the issue . `` The district acknowledges a student 's right to freedom of speech and expression is constitutionally protected , '' the district said in its statement . `` The district has not censored Miss Sullivan nor infringed upon her freedom of speech . '' Sullivan said she had not heard from the governor 's office directly . But , following the media attention , her Twitter follower count has rocketed from 65 to more than 4,000 . `` I hope that the governor realizes the power of the people and how people can make things happen , '' she said . `` I also hope he will spend his time doing more productive things . '' At the least , the student said that she hopes the controversy surrounding her tweet will bring attention to the issue of free speech . `` I hope there wo n't be any consequences and that my principal and the governor 's office can move on , '' she said . `` The issue is relevant and , if anything , is a starting point of dialog with the governor about his policies and how our First Amendment rights can be taken away . '' The school district likewise framed the matter as something that could be educational . `` The issue has resulted in many teachable moments concerning the use of social media , '' the district said .
NEW : School district officials say no apology is required ; `` no further action '' upcoming . Gov . Brownback says he respects educators teaching about `` liberties '' and `` decorum '' The teen wrote she `` made mean comments '' at Brownback , later saying this did n't happen . She says Brownback 's office called school about the tweet , which was meant for friends .