BREAKING: A stunning report from the Maryland Inspector General’s office reveals that the Somerset County School Board has violated state law in its handling of legal counsel decisions. The findings, released on November 13, 2025, indicate that the board improperly terminated its former attorney and hired new legal representation without following necessary procedures.
The report highlights that the school board took decisive action, voting to fire one attorney and approve another, all while in closed session. This blatant disregard for public transparency goes against Maryland’s legal requirements, which mandate that such decisions be made in open forums. The Inspector General’s office has flagged these violations for further review by the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Board of Education.
In a shocking turn, the board ignored mandatory competitive bidding rules, opting to hire a new attorney during the same meeting that they dismissed the previous one. Notably, state law requires at least two bids for contracts valued between $50,000 and $100,000, a standard the board failed to meet.
The investigation was launched after the Inspector General’s office received multiple complaints in March 2025 regarding the board’s hiring practices. The report outlines that the board’s actions not only violated state law but also its own internal policies requiring public advertisement and a thorough selection process for legal counsel. Instead, they moved hastily into closed sessions to make critical decisions.
This incident is the latest in a series of troubling revelations surrounding the Somerset School Board, which has faced ongoing scrutiny for financial management issues. A previous audit by the Maryland Office of Legislative Audits found persistent problems in fiscal oversight, including a lack of written contracts and insufficient vendor payments.
The board has also encountered conflict with its former superintendent, Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell. Earlier this year, the board attempted to terminate her, but that decision was halted by State Superintendent Carey M. Wright. In late October, an agreement was reached for her resignation, further complicating the board’s reputation.
As the school board grapples with these allegations, officials have remained tight-lipped. The Inspector General’s office report notes that attempts to interview board members like Matthew Lankford and Andrew Gleason were blocked by current legal counsel.
With Somerset County ranked second-to-last in the state on this year’s Maryland Report Card, scoring 46.5, the implications of these findings are significant. The community is left to wonder how these missteps will affect the future of education in the region, particularly as the board faces mounting pressure for reform.
WHAT’S NEXT: The report will be discussed with state officials, but no timeline has been set for that meeting. As developments unfold, the Somerset County community awaits clarity and accountability from its school board.
Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation, as the implications for local governance and education standards continue to evolve.
