A community member holds signs reading “51 days of work without a contract” and “fair contract please” at the Oct. 21 School Board meeting. Screenshot of online registration

RSU 21 school board member Kirstin Shapiro could be censured amid allegations of misconduct.

At an Oct. 21 school board meeting, board member Kirstan Watson made a motion to censure Shapiro for conduct she said was inconsistent with the standards expected of board members.

Watson said the motion is based specifically on documented behavior during meetings and interactions that repeatedly disrupted council proceedings and undermined public confidence in council governance.

“The continued escalation of these breaches prevented the board from fulfilling its duties in a timely and reasonable manner and with integrity,” Watson said.

According to Shapiro, an executive session must be held on the issue before it can be voted on.

Board member Rachel Kennedy-Smith, who seconded Watson’s motion, said executive session on the issue has been scheduled twice, and Shapiro was unable to attend both times.

“We tried to do this twice,” Kennedy-Smith said. “I’d like everyone to know that we’re trying to do that.”

The board ultimately did not vote on the motion, and Chairwoman Lesley Stoeffler, along with Superintendent Dr. Terri Cooper, confirmed with the district attorney that an executive session must be held before a vote could take place.

“Kirstin needs to have an opportunity to discuss this in executive session with her attorney present,” Cooper said.

Shapiro also faces potential recall.

The Arundel Select Board officially scheduled a recall election for Dec. 17 after receiving an adequate number of signatures from the community.

Arundel resident Dorothy Gregoire began the recall effort with a cover letter saying she plans to circulate a recall petition against Shapiro because she believes Shapiro’s conduct on multiple occasions has caused a loss of confidence in the judiciary her and in her ability to fulfill. assignments to the school board.

Gregoire also claims in her letter that Shapiro violated policies outlined in the board’s code of ethics, including a specific policy requiring board members to handle complaints in a certain way.

Gregoire provided examples of instances in which Shapiro violated that policy, including a recent outburst during a public comment period on Sept. 19, as well as other incidents.

“Principal Shapiro’s history of outbursts has caused a loss of confidence in her ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a school board director,” Gregoire said.

Shapiro had until October 31 to resign. Since October 29, she had not done so.

Attempts to reach Shapiro were unsuccessful.

Teachers’ contracts

Also at the Oct. 21 board meeting, Stoeffler updated the public on teacher contract negotiations.

Stoeffler said the negotiating team is feeling “more positive” than ever.

“We feel the two sides are coming together and we’re very determined, as we know the Kennebunk Arundel Kennebunkport Education Association, to get a contract for our teachers,” Stoeffler said.

She also said board member Matthew Stratford has been named lead negotiator, replacing Shapiro.

Stratford said he was approaching the negotiations with a heightened sense of urgency.

“That’s my first priority,” Stratford said.

Teachers in the district have been working without a contract since the end of August, when their previous contract expired.

Contract negotiations have been ongoing since December 2023, and the board has been in mediation with the education association since June.

“We’re hoping to get a contract that teachers really like and feel comfortable with,” Stoeffler said.

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