YORK COUNTY, Va. — Tensions are rising in York County after dozens of concerned parents, teachers and students approached school board members and accused them of enabling a militia to "act on their political ideas."
The school board meeting happened Monday night and centered on accusations made weeks ago that spilled into the meeting. Supporters of the school board, and other concerned parents, believe school board members are the victims of political attacks.
"Please stop embarrassing us!" said a teacher at York County High School. "Miss Fairman you should know better."
"You are commendable individuals undeserving of the hatred encountered by the public and others," another concerned resident said.
This strong disagreement comes after a local militia allegedly filmed a school-sanctioned sex education event called "Family Life Education Night." On social media, school board member Lynda Fairman allegedly encouraged people to attend the event and video tape school counselors.
Fairman said the militia acted of its own accord and flatly denied any relation to the militia.
"To be clear, I neither belong to, nor support, any militia group and statements saying I do are malicious lies," said Fairman. "Spreading lies through social media and email is cyberbullying."
The alleged filming is not the only concern. Teachers voiced extreme concern over a recent FOIA request filed by a member of the militia that would reveal the names and job titles of people "who have spoken out against school board members."
Gary Porter, who said he filed the request, apologized at the meeting.
"I had no ulterior motive or ill intent," he explained. "It was simply a request I thought would save me some time and give me who had spoken that night, not just their names but who they were as individuals."
York County Superintendent, Dr. Victor Shandor, addressed the FOIA request with school board members during a work session on February 12.
Shandor denounced the request and asked school board members to take action against it.
"That's very concerning to me as superintendent and I brought that to the board's attention because it's my job if anything to keep them safe," said Dr. Shandor.
Those at the school board meeting on Monday night appeared split on both issues, as more than 50 people signed up to speak. 13News Now is told some people even brought lawn chairs ahead of the meeting to wait outside in anticipation of the meeting.
Some students called for the resignation of Fairman and other school board members, while others said the school board members are being unfairly victimized for fulfilling their campaign promises.
"As students, we have the right to a safe and orderly environment Miss Fairman by aligning with a militia and prioritizing your needs over the needs of students you have not provided us with a safe or orderly environment," said one student.
"I'd like to ask everyone to please calm the heck down, let the board members get their footing, and I support the three new school board members 100%," said another concerned resident.
13News Now reached out to all York County school board members and the superintendent for comment but did not receive a response.