Battle Brewing in Somerset County Over Book Policy
Somerset County, MD - The Somerset County Board of Education and the Maryland State Education Association are at odds over a proposed policy on school library books. The dispute centers on Policy 500-19, which would set new rules for materials in school media centers.
MSEA sent a letter to the Board on August 6, 2026. It was written by Kristy Anderson, general counsel for MSEA's Center for Legal Affairs, on behalf of the Somerset Education Association.
In the letter, MSEA says the proposed policy violates Maryland's Freedom to Read Act. The law was passed in 2024 to keep political and religious views out of book selection in schools.
MSEA argues the policy favors materials that "support the... beliefs and values endorsed by the Somerset County Board of Education." The letter also says the policy disfavors books linked to topics like "victimhood," "rebellion," "sexuality," and "anti-religion."
The letter raises other concerns as well. MSEA says the policy would let the Board discipline library staff for choices made in good faith, and would let the Board remove books without the individual review process required by law.
MSEA called on the Board to withdraw the proposed changes. The letter said MSEA would challenge the policy "through every available administrative and judicial avenue" if it is adopted or enforced as written.
The Board's attorney, Marc D. Schifanelli, responded on August 11, 2026. His letter was sent on behalf of Somerset County Board of Education.
Schifanelli wrote that the Board welcomes different viewpoints from stakeholders, including MSEA. He also called the threat of legal action "troublesome."
Schifanelli pointed to social media posts from the Somerset Education Association claiming the Board plans to ban books such as Harry Potter, Anne Frank, and Harper Lee titles. He said the claim is inaccurate.
According to the letter, SEA President Phaedra Spencer recommended about 500 books for purchase by the school system just weeks before those posts went up.
Schifanelli said the Board approved every title on that list, including the ones named in the posts.
Schifanelli also wrote that Spencer's social media posts have been cited in a pending federal lawsuit against the Board and its members. He said the proposed policy is meant to address sexually explicit material, not to remove books based on political or religious views.
The letter states the policy would separate certain adult material rather than remove it. Schifanelli wrote this material would be "posted (I would expect) with a sign clearly designating the content as 'adult material' or 'sexually explicit' material," and would remain accessible to older students and staff.
Schifanelli closed by asking MSEA to reconsider legal action. The Board has not yet voted on Policy 500-19.
