RSU 21 School Board member Kirstin Shapiro defended her actions as she faced censure on Nov. 8. Contributed / RSU 21 screenshot

The RSU 21 School Board voted 9-3 on Friday, Nov. 8, to formally censure Director Kirstin Shapiro. Board members Megan Michaud, Gayle Spofford, and Shapiro voted in opposition of the censure.

In an executive session on Nov. 8, the board found that Shapiro engaged in misconduct at a Sept. 19 meeting, including utilizing profanity and making an allegation regarding unnamed educators in the district.

Board Chair Lesley Stoeffler said that the board believes the conduct by Shapiro negatively impacts board meetings and threatens the board’s effectiveness, as well as the community’s trust.

“The board has received community feedback that the behavior was concerning, particularly because students were watching online,” Stoeffler said.

Michaud, who voted against the censure, said it was clear that Shapiro was suffering from a head injury during the Sept. 19 meeting.

She said she wished the incident hadn’t occurred, and that Shapiro had apologized, but she would not be voting for the motion.

“In my core, I am not a person that punishes people when they are suffering,” Michaud said.

Shapiro responded to the allegations against her, calling them “baseless.”

In reference to a Sept. 17 meeting, when Shapiro repeatedly called “point of order” against a community member who was speaking, she said she swore an oath to uphold the policies of the school board.

A point of order, Shapiro said, is intended to be an interruption to prevent the violation of a school board policy.

Shapiro also defended her public outburst during the Sept. 19 meeting.

As Stoeffler attempted to adjourn the Sept. 19 meeting, Shapiro launched into an emotional, shouting statement on how educators had allegedly harassed her and her family through her 4-year-old daughter.

“That is wildly inappropriate and illegal,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro did not provide any specifics in support of her statement, and her statement, according to officials, has not been authenticated in the month since.

“My quote speaks for itself,” Shapiro said. “For several months, I have attempted to raise concerns, and referred my complaints through the proper channels. I have yet to receive a response.”

The most recent incident occurred during an Oct. 21 meeting, in which Shapiro muttered profanity under her breath while struggling with how to vote on a particular motion.

At the beginning of that meeting, board member Kirstan Watson made a motion to censure Shapiro. Shapiro then argued that an executive session would need to be held before the motion could be voted on.

Shapiro said her right to privacy and due process was violated at that meeting, leaving her to defend her rights in public.

“This humiliation caused a panic attack, which resulted in an inability for me to compose myself,” Shapiro said.

Ending her statement, Shapiro said she has great respect for all people who give their time and service to the community, even if she finds herself in disagreement with them.

“To censure or remove me from office when I have not violated policy sends the same dangerous message it did three years ago with Art Leblanc and Tim Stentiford,” Shapiro said.

That message, she said, is “don’t speak up, don’t advocate for students, don’t follow or enforce the rules, because if the rules frustrate people, then they will come for you and even your family relentlessly.”

In 2022, then-board members Art Leblanc and Tim Stentiford were faced with removal when a group of residents blamed them for the loss of several teachers, an increase in human resources spending, and the absence of a school board curriculum committee.

Ultimately, the RSU 21 community voted not to recall either member.

“We have lost amazing public servants because this community is aggressive in its bullying and harassment,” Shapiro said.

A censure vote does not change the position in any way for a board member. As a member who has received a censure vote, Shapiro will retain all previous responsibilities and rights that she was responsible for before the censure.

Shapiro does, however, face removal from office during a Dec. 17 vote.