06/16/2026
Still nothing from the Cassilly campaign and the comment is still on Facebook. This is incredibly disappointing coming from a former educator many of us once respected.
All while non-public placements for our students who have the greatest needs go unfunded.
Derogatory Comment Must Be Addressed
Every member of our community—especially individuals with disabilities and special needs—deserves dignity, respect, and inclusion.
We are deeply troubled by recent public comments made by Andrew Cassilly that referenced harmful stereotypes about students with disabilities, including remarks suggesting a community member “rode the short bus” and trivializing their abilities. This language is offensive, inappropriate, and demeaning.
Such statements contribute to stigma and directly undermine the work of educators, families, and advocates who are committed to ensuring that every student is treated with respect and given the opportunity to succeed. It also reflects poorly on the campaign of his brother, Bob Cassilly, as the comments were made on a social media post campaigning for the County Executive. Language like this associated with his campaign, along with his refusal to put forth the money to fund very much needed non-public placements for our students with the most severe needs, shows where Mr. Cassilly stands when it comes to our students with disabilities. A lack of response from the Cassilly campaign regarding these derogatory public comments by his brother is indeed a response and further cements where his priorities and values stand. We are waiting, and so are those who the Cassillys continue to offend.
As educators, we see every day the strength, perseverance, and value of students with diverse learning needs. Casual mockery of those students is not harmless—it has real consequences for how young people are treated and how they see themselves.
Public-facing individuals, particularly former educators engaged in civic life, have a responsibility to model respectful and inclusive behavior. Words matter, and this kind of rhetoric falls far short of what our community expects.
We call on Andrew Cassilly to issue a sincere apology and to demonstrate a commitment to treating all members of our community—especially those with disabilities—with dignity and respect.
Harford County families deserve nothing less.
