Union County School Board Member Faces Backlash Over Controversial Facebook Post

MORGANFIELD, Ky. – A Union County school board member is under scrutiny following a series of social media posts that sparked outrage within the community.

Tensions ran high at Monday night's school board meeting as parents, teachers, and former board members confronted board member Don Yarber over remarks he made on Facebook regarding the LGBTQ+ community. The meeting was interrupted by shouting, and Yarber ultimately walked out during the public comment session.

In a now-deleted post, Yarber wrote: “Keep letting those q**rs influence the minds of your children.”* He continued, claiming that LGBTQ+ individuals would suffer from “aids, mental instability, suicidal thoughts, jobs, wealth, self-respect or righteousness.”

As public comments began, Yarber requested to leave but was denied. Among those who addressed the board was Mark Lamb, an openly LGBTQ+ dance teacher at Union County Schools.

“I’ve dealt with bullies all my life,” Lamb stated. “Mr. Yarber, when you made those comments on Facebook, they rolled right off me because I have developed a very tough skin.”

Lamb also spoke about the impact of such rhetoric. “When I was a kid, I suffered from messages like yours. When you cavalierly mentioned suicide, those words made me not want to be alive.”

As Lamb finished speaking, Yarber stood up and left the meeting, saying he didn’t have to “stand there and take it.” Parents followed him out, expressing their frustration as he exited the building.

Despite Yarber’s departure, others continued to voice their concerns. Superintendent Dr. Terra Hancock addressed the controversy, stating that personal views expressed on social media by board members do not reflect the district’s values.

“School board members are elected officials and non-employees,” Hancock explained. “So Union County Schools, or even myself as superintendent, have no legal authority to regulate their actions or suspend their terms. But I want you to know that we remain dedicated to fostering a school community rooted in Braves pride.”

Union County school officials confirmed that board members recently underwent additional ethics training facilitated by the Kentucky School Boards Association.

The school board released a statement reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, ethics, and respect for all, emphasizing that individual board members’ views do not represent the district.

“We remain dedicated to fostering a school community rooted in Braves PRIDE—promoting a positive attitude, respect, integrity, dedication, and excellence in all that we do,” the statement read.