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Board of Education Member · Washington County · 2026 Primary
Members of the Board of Education oversee the local public school system by setting educational policies, approving the annual operating budget, and hiring the superintendent. They make key decisions on matters such as student curriculum, school boundaries, and the maintenance of school facilities. This office is important because its members determine how tax dollars are spent to support student learning and the overall quality of schools in the community.
View all candidates in this raceMike Guessford is an incumbent member of the Washington County Board of Education seeking a fourth term in 2026. First elected in 2014 as an at-large member, he is a former restaurateur who previously owned Always Ron's Restaurant in Hagerstown. He has served two full terms and is currently the board's vice president. During his tenure, he has highlighted accomplishments including Washington County becoming the first in Maryland to offer universal pre-K, achieving the highest starting teacher salaries in the state, securing all school buildings, and expanding apprenticeship programs. He also serves on the School Board Nominating Commission. His tenure has not been without controversy. In 2016, the Board of Education voted 4-1 to ratify an ethics advisory panel finding that he had committed multiple ethics violations. In October 2025, he drew public criticism after posting on Facebook calling for a protest against an interfaith open house at a local Islamic center, which critics characterized as anti-Muslim bias. He did not respond to media requests for comment ahead of the 2026 election. He is running in a seven-person nonpartisan race alongside incumbent Linda Murray and five challengers. The general election is November 3, 2026.
External coverage from LocalNews1.org reports growing calls for Guessford's resignation following backlash to his social media post about the mosque open house. The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the comment as reckless and dangerous, stating a call to protest a mosque's event is unacceptable for an elected official overseeing public education. Board President April Zentmeyer acknowledged in email correspondence that the matter is being taken seriously, though no formal board statement has been issued.