Somerset Education Association Facebook Posts Deceiving Public on "Banning Harry Potter" Questioned by the Board of Education

Something very shocking happened at the Somerset County Board of Education (SCBOE) meeting on August 18, 2026 where the Somerset Education Association (SEA) union President, Ms. Spencer, who is also employed by Somerset County Public Schools as a Media Specialist, was questioned about alleged false reports and rumors circulated by the SEA regarding the SCBOE banning and removing books in its Selection of Textbooks and Media Center Materials Policy 500-19 and the false termination of staff, including herself. * VIDEO BELOW

At the June 24, 2026 Board meeting, the SCBOE approved 1,061 out of 1,070 books that were selected by the Media Specialists. For the record, The SCBOE does not select any books; it approves them according to Policy 500-19.

Members of the Union were sitting in a third row watching Chairman Lankford's presentation showing the June 2024 open session board meeting in which Media Supervisor, Ms. Holland provided detailed and educational guidance on how the books are selected, vetted, and removed.

Chairman Lankford's remarks pointed to the fact that not a single board member selected any book out of a thousand titles, nor did any board member participate in the book review process, fully dispelling MSEA's letter to the Board from August 6, 2026 in which the MSEA alleged that the board is selecting and removing books and that the policy is violating the U.S. Constitution and Freedom to Read Act.

Social media posts published by the SEA President deceptively led the public to believe that the Board is selecting books and banning "Anne Frank - The Diary of a Young Girl," "Harry Potter," and "To Kill a Mockingbird." The SEA Facebook posts go as far as to invite the public to sign a petition to stop book banning and to oppose Policy 500-19.

It came to light during the Board's meeting that the SEA President was the one posting these social media posts, and at the same time refusing to post truth: that the Somerset County Board of Education approved all books that were color coded in green, which includes over 1000 titles for purchase!

As the truth came to light, suddenly an individual launched from the third row over to the podium in an attempt to disrupt orderly proceeding yelling that she is the SEA attorney before she was removed by law enforcement.

It is puzzling. Why would SEA's attorney behave in such erratic manner? Needless to say, the public was so shocked after the truth came out from the Library Media Specialist and Media Supervisor that no one even made a sound. The the public kept focus during the rest of the meeting.

Members of the public could be heard saying, "Oh, so they didn't ban Harry Potter" and "Oh wow, they are not picking and banning books!"

Despite the Board approving 99.2% of requested books, no praise was ever given by the SEA. Instead, the SEA continued to post book-banning rhetoric on their facebook page to stir manufactured controversy.

From this information, complaints were filed that drew attention to private outside activist organizations such as the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), the Maryland American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL), and the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) as well as agencies such as the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education (OIGE) and the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBOE).

These organizations and agencies were weaponized by false reports, costing the taxpayers of Somerset thousands of dollars in litigation and legal fees, to defend against frivolous lawsuits and subpoenas triggered by the untruthful information allegedly propagated by the SEA. Yet, not one organization or agency could find any wrong doing, nor could any organization produce any evidence of any claim that the SCBOE had banned any book or terminated a Media Specialist.

Ironically, these private organizations like the SEA, MSEA, NEA, ACLU, or MASL parade themselves as authoritative entities actually have zero say or legal standing when it comes to Board policies in any county.

These liberal organizations and agencies appear to be colluding with each other to target the SCBOE in an attempt to beat them into submission to the political interests and bias of these liberal entities that are not looking after the citizens or have any respect for local elected control.

As a result of the harm that's been done by false reports about the SCBOE, the apparent political purpose was simply to erode public trust and weaponize liability. After unveiling the truth, the Board Chair recommended discipline to any staff member that conspired to undermine their employer, the parents, the children, and the taxpayers of Somerset County.

The video below dispels the false narratives and exposes the scandal.

https://youtu.be/8kK7KGDGWcg

While a year ago it came to light that a grievance was filed against the Board for "terminating Ms. Spencer. " Last night, Ms. Spencer told the public that she was never terminated nor reinstated. Yet, fake news about her own "termination" and "demand for reinstatement" came from the SEA representatives.

One can only imagine the amount of time and legal costs that would have to be spent on false claims by the SEA against the Somerset County Board of Education.

Why would the SEA do this? They want so badly to be in control, and they can't allow conservatives to improve education for children. As a result, they act as bullies and obstructionists to undermine and buck the voted choice of Somerset County citizens. They are not about education, and ultimately harming our children.

Nearly 50% of Somerset's teachers are members of the SEA. If you are an SEA member and you saw this video in entirety, this is how your member dues are being used to represent you and to fuel political activism based on lies. The other 50% of teachers understand this, and this is why they're not members.

If you are a member of the SEA and have any integrity, we encourage you to withdraw from the SEA, MSEA, and NEA. By remaining a member, you support the behavior as shown in the video above, which undermines true education.

The good news is, the union is not mandatory and you're not alone. There are alternatives such as the Teacher Freedom Alliance, the Association of American Educators, and Christian Educators that will provide $2-million in professional liability insurance for much less.

You have until September 15 to opt out of the union and from being locked into their dues. https://www.optouttoday.com/mesa/

As for parents, you need to make it your business to know the heart of some of these teachers teaching your children. There are great teachers as well as very bad ones.

Lastly, be very aware of who you vote for in November. Please do your homework.

Fellows & Editors

August 19, 2026. Copyright DelmarvaPTC.org 

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