We deserve leaders whose behavior and judgment inspire trust.
In October of 2025, the Maryland State Board of Education received numerous requests to remove Michael Guessford as an elected member of the Washington County Board of Education for misconduct in office. Mr. Guessford filed an opposition to the requests for removal. In late February, the Maryland State Board of Education issued Opinion No. 26-07.
Opinion No. 26-07 is posted here for your convenience. We encourage you to read it in full. Opinion No 26-07 is available to the public on the State Board of Education’s website at marylandpublicschools.org by searching under Legal Opinions and Orders. For your convenience, here’s the link to the full report: In the Matter of Request for Removal of Local Board Member Michael Guessford.
The complainants alleged that Mr. Guessford violated numerous local board policies, procedures and processes and undermined the local board’s authority, disregarded the role of the local superintendent and the advice of legal counsel, and harmed the reputation of the school system. They claimed his behavior was not a simple isolated incident but a history of unprofessional misconduct that violated his oath of office and was a systemic disregard for the operating and communication processes that govern the local board.
In his filing of opposition, Mr. Guessford characterized the petition as “a coordinated effort by former colleagues who disagree with his politics and did not address many of the complaints while they were serving together but waited until they were voted off the local board to file the petition in retaliation for losing the election.”
The Maryland State Board of Education’s ruling was this:
“CONCLUSION
We find the totality of the allegations are not legally sufficient to support the removal of Mr. Guessford and we dismiss the request to issue charges for removal at this time. We do not issue charges based on the allegations before us; however, we admonish Mr. Guessford for his conduct and behavior. We caution Mr. Guessford that his pattern of behavior—particularly his public rhetoric regarding the Muslim community; his unprofessional and demeaning behavior towards his colleagues and staff; and his attempts to circumvent the superintendent—is deeply problematic, unprofessional, and beneath the standards expected of an elected official. This approach undermines effective governance and must be addressed to ensure lawful and constructive board governance. While the State Board is not issuing charges at this time, it remains seriously concerned about the pattern of conduct and urges Mr. Guessford to reflect carefully on his role and responsibilities as a member of the local board. Continued behavior of this nature, specifically that which marginalizes students and other groups; harasses colleagues or staff; or undermines statutory governance, may lead the Board to consider formal action in the future.”
What more needs to be said about Mr. Guessford’s behavior in his role as a member of the Washington County Board of Education? This is the first of a series of posts to be made regarding Maryland State Board of Education Opinion No. 26-07. Please watch for future posts.