GOP Rep Calls on War Dept to Intervene As School Board Tries to Dump Air Force Vet While Serving Overseas – RedState
Republican Rep. Max Miller (OH-7) blasts the Parma City School Board and calls on the War Department to immediately intervene to stop what he calls an outrageous attempt to “retire” Air Force Reservist Ashley McTaggart.
McTaggart would face ouster from her elected seat while serving overseas.
The congressman — who supported McTaggart’s successful 2023 campaign — accused the left-leaning board of doing everything possible, some of it questionable, to fire the currently deployed veteran.
“Since she won the seat, the left-wing board has used every means possible to try to eliminate her, culminating in an attempt to remove Ashley while she is deployed,” a clearly outraged Miller wrote on X. “I appeal to our [War Department] to intervene in this matter to protect our brave service members like Ashley from this type of abuse.”
In 2023, I was proud to support Ashley McTaggart for the Parma School Board. Since winning the seat, the left-leaning board has used every means possible to try to remove her, culminating in an attempt to remove Ashley while she is deployed. I call our @DeptofWar has… pic.twitter.com/Dg5b4hhQIP
– Max Miller (@MaxMillerOH) March 29, 2026
LEARN MORE: The Democrats’ Sneaky New Trick – Indy’s Imitation Game
Preventable tragedy: 83-year-old Air Force veteran dies after illegal alien pushes him onto subway tracks
The left-leaning Parma City School Board is actively working to oust McTaggart from his seat by exploiting a quirk of Ohio law that strictly prohibits school board members from attending meetings or voting virtually, even while on military deployment.
With the Air Force reservist currently serving overseas and unable to appear in person, board President Tammie Sebastian and Vice President Brittany Kurpik called a special meeting last week to discuss declaring her seat vacant after an extended absence.
“To be honest with you, I’m just going to be completely transparent, I don’t know — we really don’t know — how long this board member is going to (be gone),” Sebastian said. “I’m not sure.”
While most reasonable beings would have some understanding of the extraordinary circumstances, the duo say they need legal advice to ensure “regular attendance and participation”. They say no effort is being made to remove McTaggart from the board.
That said, this statement from Sebastian doesn’t sound like an innocent investigation.
We have the utmost respect for those who serve our country, and that has never been in question. At the same time, those elected to serve on a school board have an obligation to the community to maintain regular attendance, actively participate in meetings and committee work, and engage in district governance. Fulfilling these responsibilities requires clear and consistent communication.
Sebastian’s statement to WKYC-3 claims the controversy stems from public misinformation.
“Unfortunately, some information shared publicly does not fully reflect the purpose of this meeting, which has caused confusion within the community,” she said.
“We want to be clear: The Board is not currently taking any action related to a change in the composition of the Board. We remain focused on transparency, accountability and ensuring the Board can continue to serve the district effectively.”
If the plan doesn’t involve taking action, what are we looking at here? Well, according to WJW-TV in Cleveland, the meeting consisted of board members discussing “what they can do about a vacancy on the board, essentially deciding whether they can declare his seat vacant and appoint someone else to fill his term.”
In other words, when they say they’re not pursuing action against McTaggart, they’re full of it.
Parma City School District school board member Nick Reyes doesn’t seem convinced that legal analysis is a harmless endeavor. He released a statement defending the Air Force veteran.
“I also feel that (McTaggart’s) seat on the Board should remain secure during his deployment,” Reyes said. “In a time like this, the focus should be on what matters most: the common goal of improving student achievement.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parma City School Board has held virtual meetings and allowed remote participation and voting under a temporary Ohio state law. No one batted an eyelid at that moment. But a veteran whose views may differ from those of Commission leaders is suddenly under intense scrutiny.
It’s not like she’s actively avoiding votes and meetings while on family vacation. Ashley is doing her best to work with the board while fulfilling her duties to this nation. That should be enough for Parma. It’s time to stop playing games.
While McTaggart defends America abroad, her own school board tries to stab her in the back. Rep. Miller is right: It is time for the War Department to examine this situation and, if necessary, step in and end this disgrace.
Editor’s note: Do you like RedState’s conservative reporting that attacks the radical left and woke media? Support our work so we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership!
