The resignation of Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell as Somerset County Public Schools Superintendent comes amidst public frustration with school board.
Delmarva Public Media's Don Rush talks with Kirkland Hall, former president of the Somerset County branch of the NAACP and activist, about the implications of the development.
RUSH: Somerset County School Superintendent, Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell has resigned. This is Don Rush. Her departure comes amidst the attacks by the school board, which tried to remove and replace her. Conflict has been a hallmark of the current board between Tasker-Mitchell and chair Matthew Lankford. Latest issue was an audit, which found deficiencies in the school system and threatened $10 million worth of state funding. Tasker-Mitchell said the problems had been years in the making and dedicated herself to addressing them. We turn to Kirkland Hall, former president of the Somerset County branch to the NAACP and community activist to talk about how this is playing out.
HALL: Of course, could have been a lot of controversy, a lot of accusations and number of lawsuits and complaints, interruptions at the board meetings. And it was almost like a circuit, but if she felt that it was "enough was enough," I can sympathize with her resigning.
RUSH: Now there does seem to be a lot of back and forth between her and the chair of the board, Matthew Lankford. What do we make of that?
HALL: It's unusual. In all my years, this is the first time that I've seen allegedly coworkers getting so personal and not being able to communicate, not being able to come to agreement, and especially when what you're doing impacts so many other people and it was shocking.
RUSH: Now I know there's been a lot of conflict with the chair on the board. Is this in part a conservative effort do you think, in terms of this conflict that's been going on?
HALL: I think so. At most of the meetings it was expressed by the chair, "no DEI." They want everything to remain the same, just like the model of Somerset County. They wanted it the same. No changes.
RUSH: So what has been the community reaction to all of this?
HALL: People have been taking sides, of course, but it's been a diverse groups on both sides. A majority of people of color and other whites have joined together as a coalition to combat the decision made by the chairman. And then I look at Congressman Andy Harris drafting a letter, basically letting us know that the board had the right to do all the things that they did. He was not a mediator, but instead tried to encourage the board with the decisions that they made so they felt protected. They were elected officials, of course. And of course when you protected by your congressman, fine, nothing from a delegate, but just from the congressman.
RUSH: Do we expect then that this could have consequences when it comes up to the next election in terms of the school board?
HALL: Well, there are groups that are working to locate people of color and of women to run for the board of education. And I've been bombarded for the last week about running for delegate again. So I'm looking at that support for Dr. Tasker-Mitchell did not come from high places and that's the problem.
RUSH: What do you think it means in terms of her absence now for the school system and the community?
HALL: Well, if you recall a couple months ago, the board had already hired an interim superintendent and who was a white male. And so I don't know him, but I know individuals that work with him. And so I'm not going to prejudge. But basically I believe that it's going to be a person not of color that could be in that position.
RUSH: And do you think that's then going to be carrying out a different, say, approach or curriculum as it were, than say Tasker-Mitchell?
HALL: I think so. I think there's going to be some changes and they're going to definitely recommend to whoever this person is, to basically not challenge any policies they put in place.
RUSH: Kirkland Hall, former president of the Somerset County branch for the NAACP and local activist, the resignation of Somerset County School Superintendent, Dr. Ava Tasker9Mitchell. This is Don Rush for Delmarva Public Media.
