Arundel to vet new RSU 21 School Board member in wake of 'hateful' tweets controversy

ARUNDEL, Maine — As town officials prepare to appoint someone to fill resident Ryan McQueen’s term on the RSU 21 School Board, some are asking how the community can do a better job at vetting candidates who are seeking local office.

McQueen quit the School Board on March 22, following public complaints about some of his posts on social media that had been brought to the district’s attention. In a letter to the community, Superintendent of Schools Terri Cooper described the posts as “hateful toward transgender people, people of color, and women.”

One of McQueen’s alleged posts on Twitter involved a meme that read, “People are similar to sharks because all the great ones are white.”

The Arundel Select Board discussed the School Board vacancy during its meeting on March 27. According to the town charter, the board has 30 days from McQueen’s resignation to appoint someone to his seat.

To date, three candidates have filed the necessary paperwork at the town hall to be considered for the vacancy. According to Town Manager Keith Trefethen, they are Ariel Taschereau, Britney McIntyre Gerth and Rodney Sparkowich.

Previous story: Ryan McQueen quits RSU 21 School Board after 'hateful' social media posts spark complaints

Gerth told the Select Board at the meeting that she saw the vacancy as an “interesting opportunity ... to step in and volunteer to advocate for our community.” Gerth added that she had professional experience in matters of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“I am a parent, and that drives much of my passion for being involved in the school system,” Gerth said.

Select Board Chair Dan Dubois had emphasized the need for diversity, equity and inclusion after he read a recent statement by Cooper and the School Board that asserted those principles after McQueen’s social media posts had surfaced.

Selectman Jason Nedeau asked if there was a better way, moving forward, for the community to vet candidates before they get elected to office. He said he did not use social media and wondered if doing background checks on a candidate’s posts is allowable.

“It’s a gray area,” Nedeau acknowledged.

Trefethen said he did not think such background checks were allowed, but he added that he personally advises town staff against making social media posts that could expose them to ridicule, “whether it’s right, wrong, or indifferent.” He said some officials post on social media, expressing whatever it is they think is their right to do.

“Often, that can be inappropriate as an official,” Trefethen said. “It’s unproductive for us all.”

Nedeau asked if something could have been done to red-flag the situation before McQueen had volunteered for the School Board, in order to “avoid this nonsense.”

“This is ridiculous,” Nedeau said. “It makes the whole town look bad.”

Trefethen noted that McQueen had run unopposed in his successful bid to represent Arundel on the School Board.

“This is when the public needs to get engaged in the process,” Trefethen said. “He was the only one who ran for the position. His name was the only one on the ballot. When you run unopposed, and no one knows you ...”

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Trefethen said people need to get involved in their community and “get elected the old-fashioned way – shaking hands and getting to know people.”

Nedeau suggested the Select Board could compile a list of questions for candidates, in order to “get a feel” for them before they are appointed. Residents, past board members and even current ones could submit the questions, he added.

McQueen could not be reached for comment. In his resignation letter, however, McQueen wrote, “I did not volunteer for this position to be attacked and slandered.”

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McQueen's resignation avoided potential recall election

In quitting, McQueen avoided a potential recall effort that a resident of Arundel had started against him.

Trefethen said he was happy that McQueen resigned without the town having to go through a recall process.

“I can assure you that there were people within the community that were well prepared to move forward with a recall,” Trefethen said.

The town of Kennebunk went through a recall last year, when a group of residents led an attempt to remove RSU 21 School Board member Tim Stentiford from office. The effort failed, but the entire process created legal challenges, anguish and division in the community.

McQueen was elected in 2022 to finish a term vacated by School Board member Todd Shea in the fall of 2021. McQueen’s successor will hold the seat until June 30 and must decide whether to run for the rest of his unfinished term during the annual town election that month.

Anyone interested in being appointed to fill the McQueen vacancy can contact Town Clerk Rachel Bull at (207) 985-4201, ext. 102, or at townclerk@arundelmaine.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Arundel to vet new RSU 21 School Board member after Mcqueen controversy