CENTREVILLE, Md.- It all began with an email.
Dr. Andrea Kane, the first black woman to serve as superintendent of Schools in Queen Anne's County, began her back to school message as she did many others, with administrative business. But later on in the message, she voiced her support for young men and women taking part in peaceful protests, as the social justice movement continues to affect communities across the nation.
But some people are claiming that message was not only unethical, but illegal.
"Plain and simple she broke the law," says Gordana Schifanelli, an attorney who lives on Kent Island. She believes Kane violated article one of local government rules, by "promoting her political opinion."
"We got the invitation, the letter to go protest against the police, that to me was unacceptable." argued Schifanelli. "I have three boys, they all went to public school, I had never heard that anyone had race-related issues in public schools."
In response, the attorney and immigrant from Yugoslavia started the "Kent Island Patriots" Facebook group. She says she created the group to give parents and residents in the school district the ability to freely speak their minds.
"The Kent Island Patriots Group are just a bunch of residents who want to live peacefully without these attacks that are so vicious," Schifanelli said.
But for others, the group's creation highlights the exact problem they are looking to address. Mary Walker is a mother and an active member of the "Sunday Supper Club," an organization that creates local community meetings to discuss racial issues.
"I had six children go through the Queen Anne's County schools so I know personally there is racism," says Walker. "I worked as a mentor for the last six to seven years at the high school, and I saw racism constantly."
Walker believes that it was important for Kane to speak on the movement, especially considering her novel status as the county's first black superintendent.
But the message has divided the small county of 50,000, and has lead to heightened tensions. Supporters rallied in front of the Board of Education building on Sunday in Centreville to show their support for Kane. The next day messages barraged the "Patriots" Facebook page.
"THERE IS NO RACISM ON THE EASTERN SHORE. PERIOD," wrote Schifanelli on her "Kent Island Patriots" group page.
With only a few months remaining in her term, Kane has said she will not seek re-election, meaning a new superintendent will take over for the majority of the 2020-2021 academic year.
Those who support Kane, including Walker, vow to keep fighting.
"I just like to say that the fight goes on to make people less comfortable," Walker says.