10/08/2026
Dean Rose is trying to justify accepting political and $30,000 of financial support from the teachers union.
BONUS EDITION — FACTS 🍎vs FEAR🍊!
This week, you’re getting a bonus edition of Facts vs Fear!
In light of some recent accusations and insinuations being circulated by a Political Action Committee supporting my opponents, I thought it was important to set the record straight.
Let’s separate the FACTS from the FEAR!
FEAR ☠️: Better Maryland Schools PAC, a political organization supporting candidates opposing the Apple Ballot, is suggesting that my endorsement and campaign support from our local educators’ association raises questions about my ethics and independence as a Board of Education member.
The PAC has even challenged Apple Ballot candidates to sign its own privately developed “ethics pledge,” implying that declining to do so somehow reflects a lack of integrity.
FACT ✅: I believe strongly in ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability. Those principles have guided my service on the Board of Education and will continue to do so.
The suggestion that accepting an endorsement or lawful campaign support from an organization representing our educators is inherently unethical deserves some perspective.
Our teachers, administrators, and education support professionals have every right to participate in the democratic process, support candidates, and advocate for public education. Their involvement does not mean they control the decisions of elected Board members.
As Board members, we have a responsibility to represent all students, families, employees, and taxpayers—not any particular organization or special interest.
I respect the right of any candidate to sign a voluntary political pledge. However, declining to sign a pledge written by a political organization should not be confused with violating an ethics rule.
Ethical leadership should be measured by transparency, compliance with the law, and the decisions we make in public service—not simply by whether we sign a political pledge.
I also find it somewhat ironic that this criticism is coming from a Political Action Committee that asked candidates to sign its own pledge as a condition of receiving its endorsement and financial support.
Apparently, accepting the support of an organization representing our educators raises questions about a candidate’s independence, while accepting the support of a PAC that requires candidates to agree to its conditions does not.
I believe that distinction deserves some explanation.
On a personal note, I have served on the Frederick County Board of Education for nearly four years, including in Board leadership. Throughout that time, I have worked with our employee association partners in a transparent, fair, and ethical manner, ALWAYS putting the interests of our students, families, staff, and community first.
I take my responsibilities as an elected official very seriously, and I strongly resent any suggestion that my integrity or independence could be compromised by an endorsement or lawful campaign contribution.
My integrity is not for sale, my decisions are not dictated by endorsements, and my commitment has always been, and will continue to be, to the students, families, employees, and taxpayers of Frederick County.
Sort through the noise, follow the facts, and if you haven't already, I ask that starting two weeks from today that you VOTE for Dean Rose 4 BOE, Rae Gallagher for Board of Ed, Chad Wilson for Board of Education, and Casey Day for Frederick Board of Education. 🍎🍎🍎🍎
