The unanimous vote to place SU 76 Superintendent Daniel Ross on administrative leave prevents him from conducting any business on behalf of the schools.
SEDGWICK, Maine — Educators, community members, and School Union 76 board members held an emergency meeting Thursday night at Sedgwick Elementary School to discuss their decision regarding Superintendent Daniel Ross.
“Things have been happening that are not good for our school or community,” Jennifer Mayo, a math teacher at Deer Isle-Stonington High School, explained.
The meeting was brief, but Mayo said she believed the unanimous vote to place Ross on paid administrative leave was a step in the right direction.
“It’s like a sigh of relief for some of us,” she said.
Mayo has taught at Deer-Isle Stonington for five years and said the decision follows a vote of “no confidence” among educators from every school in the union.
According to Mayo, the vote resulted in all but four educators saying they don’t believe in Ross’ ability to lead the schools in a positive direction.
“Teachers aren’t being supported, and some even feel they’re being treated unequally,” Mayo explained.
Becky Cortout, a first- and second-grade teacher at the Brooklin School, echoed those concerns, adding the superintendent’s responses to issues or concerns raised often felt dismissive or even confrontational.
“There was a lack of communication,” Cortout shared. “And if there was communication, the response was almost aggressive.”
She emphasized that the stress from these challenges has had a negative impact on teachers’ morale and their ability to fully focus on their students.
“When you’re working with kids, and you don’t feel respected as the people working with students, it sort of trickles down, and kids can sense that stress,” she said.
School board members from Deer Isle-Stonington and Sedgwick also expressed concerns about Ross’ leadership but refrained from sharing further comments.
The unanimous vote to place Ross on administrative leave prevents him from conducting any business on behalf of the schools.
Following the decision, board members confirmed they are now searching for an interim superintendent to lead the district during Ross’ suspension.
For educators like Mayo, this decision represents an opportunity for the district to rebuild trust and focus on its future.
“Hopefully, we’ll feel more supported and be able to move forward again,” Mayo said.
Ross did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
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