Peters School Director Censured For Racist Posts Loses Primary

PETERS TOWNSHIP, PA - A day after Peters Township school director William Merrell was censured by the school board over a racist Facebook post, voters decided he didn't warrant another term on the board.

Merrell finished last among the six candidates vying for five open seats in both the Democratic and Republican results (school board candidates typically cross-file). In the Republican race, he received 753 votes or 11.4 percent of the ballots cast; on the Democratic side, he garnered 204 votes, or 5 percent.

Merrell was censured on Monday for the social media posts, which have been taken down. The inflammatory posts target African-Americans and have been shared by hate groups.

Merrell on Monday apologized for the posts. He has served on the school board since 2011 and is the former Washington County Republican Committee chairman.