Delmarva Parent Teacher Coalition
Since January 2025, we have become aware of multiple instances in which confidential matters concerning the Somerset County Board of Education and Somerset County Public Schools were improperly disclosed to the Somerset Education Association and subsequently circulated on social media by its members and supporters. Based on the nature and timing of these disclosures, we suspected that Superintendent Ava Tasker-Mitchell was the source of the leaked information.
To investigate this concern, a lawful Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request was submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) seeking correspondence between Superintendent Tasker-Mitchell and the MSDE.
The response confirmed that Tasker-Mitchell had in deed disclosed confidential information while identifying herself as a Somerset County “Resident”—despite acting in her official capacity as Superintendent. A private resident would not have access to such information, which could only have originated from closed session meetings attended by Tasker-Mitchell in her professional role.
Under the guise of a resident, this confidential information was then used by Tasker-Mitchell to file a petition with the MSDE seeking the removal of the elected Board Chair, Matthew Lankford. As a result, sensitive details from closed sessions—including matters related to district security, personnel matters, legal counsel, internal deliberations, and protected contract information—were made public. These disclosures were evident in the MPIA response, which despite some redactions included numerous unredacted items (specifically items 39, 44, 45, 50, 69, 77–83, 100–112, and 117–118) that were never discussed in any open meetings I attended.
The leaking of confidential information has caused significant disruption and unrest within the community. Board members, legal counsel, and other individuals have been publicly maligned in meetings, across social media, and in news coverage—undermining their reputations and eroding public trust. Because the leaked topics remain confidential, the Board is unable to respond or correct the resulting misinformation and false narratives.
This represents a serious violation of the Maryland Open Meetings Act and a clear misuse of authority by Superintendent Tasker-Mitchell as a misconduct in office under Maryland Education Article §4-201(e). These records indicate willful and deliberate disclosures of confidential and privileged information originating from closed session meetings—actions that constitute clear violations of the Maryland Open Meetings Act and its protections for closed session proceedings. Moreover, these breaches represent a profound violation of ethical standards and a betrayal of public trust held by the citizens of Somerset County.
The allegations from Tasker-Mitchell appear to stem solely from her disagreement with Board policies and positions—differences of opinion that do not constitute valid grounds for the removal of a Board member. This situation raises serious concerns for the citizens of Somerset County. Additionally, members of the public have been subjected to hostile behavior from Tasker-Mitchell’s supporters, which she has allowed to continue without intervention.
After serving only four months as Chairman, Matthew Lankford faced a series of allegations from an individual identifying herself as a “resident”—allegations that included detailed references to closed session discussions. These are matters that no ordinary resident would have access to, and which the Superintendent is legally and ethically obligated to protect.
In over 100 separate and repetitive claims, Ava Tasker-Mitchell swore under oath that she is a resident of Somerset County. However, voter registration records list her as a resident of Anne Arundel County, and land records confirm she does not own property in Somerset County. Her affidavit also stated that, “As a result of the telephone conversation with Mr. Lankford, Petitioner left Somerset County due to what she perceived to be a threat to her personal safety and stayed with family members in another county.” While these discrepancies and what appear to be fabrications are troubling, this may be minor in comparison to the continual pattern of irrational allegations she has made against Chairman Lankford.
For example, Tasker-Mitchell claimed that the redlined version of the Equity Policy was drafted solely by Mr. Lankford and Board Member Andrew Gleason, without input from other Board members. She cited a whispered comment from Board Member William McInturff stating, “they never get a chance to weigh in on policy,” and noted that both Mr. McInturff and Mr. Allen Ford abstained from voting on the policy due to concerns about its review process. These claims were referenced in Exhibit HH from the February 18, 2025, Board Meeting, timestamped between 1:21:10 and 1:32:51.
According to Tasker-Mitchell, Mr. Lankford’s act of reading the policy and sharing a redlined version constitutes grounds for removal. And if that alone doesn’t prompt serious concern, her continued pattern of irrational conduct only raises more questions.
In a closed session discussion on school safety, Mr. Lankford advocated for School Resource Deputies (SRDs) to take a more active role in student discipline. Sergeant Todd clarified that SRDs should only intervene when appropriate, and that routine infractions should be handled by school administrators. Again, this exchange was cited by Tasker-Mitchell—despite being part of a confidential closed session.
At the April 15, 2025 Closed Session Board Meeting, during a personnel hiring discussion, Tasker-Mitchell claimed the Board had identified a strong candidate for a media specialist role. She quoted Mr. Gleason as saying the Board wanted someone who would “champion what we are trying to do,” and Mr. McInturff as responding, “we don’t normally do that (hiring).” She further noted that Mr. Lankford and Mr. Gleason voted “No” on the personnel report.
How would a private resident know the specifics of what individual Board members said during a closed session on personnel matters? The public simply would not.
And finally, the supposed “crime” for which Chairman Lankford is being targeted: Tasker-Mitchell claims that Mr. Lankford and Mr. Gleason’s support for a forensic audit—rather than a performance audit—was inappropriate because SCPS allegedly lacked the funds at the time. Again, how would a resident know the district’s financial position, audit preferences, or internal budget constraints?
These disclosures raise serious concerns about the misuse of confidential information and the integrity of the process by which these allegations were brought forward.
By law, the Superintendent does not possess the authority to petition for the removal of the Board Chair. This limitation is precisely why she submitted her petition under the designation of a “resident”—an apparent attempt to circumvent established legal protocols.
From an ethical standpoint, the Superintendent is an employee of the Board, which the Board collectively voted Matthew Lankford as their Chair. For an employee to initiate action aimed at removing their employer—either in whole or in part—constitutes a clear act of insubordination and an effort to undermine the will of the board and their voters.
When on the job, if an employee refuses to follow directives or actively undermines their employer due to personal disagreement or is unwilling to perform their job duties, the consequence will result in termination— a simple principle understood by everyone that is employed by an employer.
Despite an incredible amount of evidence that she has stacked against herself, the terminated employee continues to illegitimately occupy an office at Somerset County Public Schools under the protection of an overreaching state authority. Given the facts now before them, we remain hopeful that the Maryland State Board of Education will act decisively to restore local governance and end the unjust hold over the Somerset County Board of Education.
Fellows & Editors
August 30, 2025
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