Maryland Board Files Misconduct Charges Against Chair
Somerset County families may see leadership shifts as the state begins a formal removal process for Matthew Lankford.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should state officials have the authority to remove elected local school board members for misconduct?
The Maryland State Board of Education has officially filed misconduct charges against Somerset County school board chair Matthew Lankford. This action initiates a formal removal process for the official who first took office in January 2025.
Why it matters
The charges follow a 90-page complaint alleging a pattern of unprofessional behavior at board meetings, raising questions about local governance stability and potential legal costs for the county. This oversight step is a significant escalation after a previous state warning regarding his conduct.
The Somerset Education Association submitted a 90-page complaint detailing the alleged misconduct. Lankford now faces a formal removal process, though he retains the right to request a hearing through the Office of Administrative Hearings.
The players
Maryland State Board of Education
The state agency responsible for overseeing public education and enforcing professional standards for local school board members.
Matthew Lankford
The current Somerset County school board chair facing removal charges following an alleged pattern of unprofessional behavior.
Somerset Education Association
The local teachers union that compiled and filed a 90-page misconduct complaint against the board chair.
The details
The state board issued the charges after previously warning the chair regarding his behavior last fall. The formal process allows for a fact-finding period where evidence of improper conduct is reviewed by state officials. If the process moves forward, Somerset County will likely incur legal fees related to the administrative proceedings.
Timeline
2019: The state board removed Allegany County member Wayne Foote.
November 2024: Lankford was elected to the Somerset County board.
January 2025: Lankford took office.
April 2025: Renee Dixon resigned from the Cecil County board.
October 29, 2026: State board announced charges against Lankford.
The Home Front
This move marks an ongoing pattern of state-level intervention in local Maryland school board governance. It follows similar regional instability, including the 2025 resignation of a Cecil County board member and the 2019 state-led removal of a member in Allegany County.
Parents and local residents in Somerset County should monitor public board meeting minutes for updates on governance changes. Any concerns regarding board conduct or district leadership should be directed to the state board's official inquiry channels.
The takeaway
Governance disputes can impact local school district operations and create unexpected administrative costs for taxpayers. Residents should keep an eye on upcoming board meeting schedules for potential changes in leadership or official status updates.
Further reading
For more on how state oversight impacts local districts, visit Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Baltimore Banner.
Live Poll
Should state officials have the authority to remove elected local school board members for misconduct?
