Public speakers call for action after board member's Facebook post; board member apologizes

Dozens of residents and Washington County educators urged the Washington County Board of Education on Oct. 21 to remove or censure board member Mike Gessford after a social media comment in which he wrote “we should protest” in response to a post about an open house at a local mosque.

The calls for action came during the meeting’s public-comment period, when speakers described the post as religiously bigoted and inappropriate for an elected official who helps oversee schools attended by Muslim students. Dave Williams, a public speaker, said: "Mr. Gessford has crossed the line and must resign or be removed." Jeanne Massey, a former WCPS teacher, told the board to "expel the offending member," saying the post broke the public trust.

The controversy centered on a social media remark by board member Mike Gessford and the question of whether his statement…