Katie Addis Resigns from Worcester County Board of Education: What Her Departure Reveals About Our Schools

After three years of service, Worcester County Board of Education member Katie Addis announced her resignation yesterday. In her final comments, she offered a candid critique of the system she served. Addis shared concerns that went well beyond one board seat. She spoke of a variety of issues that she dealt with in her term including school culture, media bias, teacher advocacy, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement.

Here I’ll take a closer look at her actual statements, the issues she raised and offer some insight.

School System Culture
“Many of the aspirations that I had as a board member, aspirations I campaigned on and that my constituency supported, were not supported by my fellow board members. Nothing I do here will change the destructive culture of this school system.”

We have heard many calls to “keep politics out of schools.” To me, this usually means “keep YOUR politics out.” I have seen many social posts lately where her critics have labeled her as extreme, but was it simply because she didn’t align with the teachers’ union and other progressive thought? Diversity of thought should be welcomed. She made it clear that she was not welcome. Anyone who has ever attended a meeting or watched it online can see it.

Media Bias
“My trust in our local media outlets and journalists have disappointed me in their need to sway the public on matters that were many times written and covered in a way that led the public to be swayed away from the truth. Worcester County journalism is very much a part of the good old boy network.”

Local journalism should inform, not sway. One example: Local coverage of Worcester County’s 2025 budget debate framed the county commissioners as “not valuing education” and highlighted union outrage, but omitted key facts such as the $4.8 million increase already approved and that full Blueprint compliance isn’t required until 2027. This selective framing promotes a narrative rather than presenting the full context.

Teacher Advocacy
“I have watched our district’s Teachers Association pressure educators into believing the association is the only source of protection and support. Yet time and again, their actions have shown otherwise. Teachers deserve to know they do have options.”

No educator should feel pressured into one association.  Advocacy means empowering teachers, not monopolizing their voice. The fact is teachers’ unions are political organizations. That may be good or bad depending on your views.

Katie Addis was correct, joining the local teachers’ union is not the sole path to advocacy or protection. Educators can choose professional associations that provide liability insurance, legal support, and resources without engaging in partisan politics.

Alternatives for Teachers in Worcester County

Joining the local teachers’ union is not the only path to advocacy or protection. Here are some options educators can consider:

• Association of American Educators (AAE): Provides $2 million liability insurance, legal protection, and professional resources without partisan politics.
  👉 Visit AAE
• Christian Educators Association International: Offers legal coverage, liability insurance, and faith-based support for educators.
  👉 Visit Christian Educators
• Teacher Freedom Network: Guides teachers on opting out of union membership and joining affordable alternatives.
  👉Visit TFN 
• Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE): A nonprofit promoting inclusive practices and professional development, not a union but a strong resource for educators.
  👉 Visit MCIE

Maryland State Education Association (MSEA)
“As election season approaches, a candidate without the backing of WCTA is not a candidate without the backing of Worcester County’s dedicated teachers. The Red Apple endorsement reflects only a small portion of the incredible educators and staff who serve our students every day.”

MSEA and local affiliates often describe themselves as advocates for educators and public schools and say their mission is professional, student-focused, and non-partisan. Professional; agreed.  But student-focused and non-partisan? Student-focused is difficult to say because any organization in education, no matter what they advocate for, insists that they are student focused.  But non-partisan? MSEAs endorsement process emphasizes empowering educators to make informed decisions, presenting itself as a resource for education, not a political machine.

The truth is that MSEA is deeply involved in political advocacy and consistently supports left-of-center positions and Democratic candidates. Everyone knows this and it is just accepted and not questioned. Recent endorsements show zero Republican candidates endorsed by MSEA in statewide or federal races. None.

Accountability
“We have a teacher who implied he wanted students dead. And instead of firing him, our superintendent rewarded him with a paid vacation. I mean, administrative leave.”

When a teacher implies harm to students, paid leave (administrative leave) is not enough. Student safety must come first.  After the killing of Charlie Kirk, a WCPS teacher posted:
“Let’s not complicate this. Kirk supported Trump, Trump is a pedophile. Pedophiles deserve death. Pedophile supporters deserve the same.” The teacher’s logic is not complicated either. According to him, Kirk is a supporter of Trump. Trump is a pedophile, Pedophiles deserve to die; therefore, anyone who supported Trump deserves to die.

Lets then ask how many WCPS students and families supported Trump. He carried Worcester County by almost 60% So, in a public forum, a WCPS teacher is suggesting that 60% of the population if the county that employs him deserves death?

You decide.

Fact check: There are no substantiated claims or judicial findings that Donald Trump is a pedophile. Allegations have been dismissed or withdrawn, and fact-checkers confirm no verified evidence exists.

Budget Reality
“Every year, indoctrination campaigns take place to make the public believe the Board of Education is not fully funded. This is grossly false and dangerously inaccurate. A maintenance of effort budget is a fully funded budget. Anything over maintenance of effort is a fully funded budget and then some.”

A maintenance of effort budget is fully funded. Overspending on “Taj Mahal” schools drains resources from classrooms. Fiscal responsibility matters and advocating for cuts and other reductions does not mean a board member “doesn’t support education.”

Community Engagement
“Our community as a whole needs to take an active interest in local issues. I urge and challenge everyone to step into the public square and contribute to the betterment of our community. We need more face-to-face dialogue and fewer keyboard warriors.”

Real change starts with dialogue, not keyboard wars.

A Positive Note on Her Service

“Building relationships with the members of this community has truly been an honor of a lifetime. I am eternally grateful for the trust you placed in me to represent and advocate for the needs of District 6.”

Despite disagreements, Addis leaves behind a record of dedicated service and advocacy for fiscal accountability. She often challenged spending practices and pushed for transparency, even when it was unpopular.

Board President Todd Ferrante acknowledged her contributions, saying:
“While her resignation was unexpected, the Board appreciated her dedicated service and valued her voice, noting that even amid disagreements, members were never disagreeable.”

Addis herself expressed gratitude:
“It has been an honor to serve District Six. I am eternally grateful for the trust you placed in me to represent and advocate for the needs of District 6.