Marshwood Middle School principal resigns amid accusations he harassed employee
ELIOT, Maine — Marshwood Middle School Principal David Creech resigned May 16, amid an MSAD 35 employee's accusations that he repeatedly harassed her.
In a filing for a protection order at York County Judicial Center in Biddeford on May 4, the employee alleges that Creech had sent her sexual music videos via texts, had gone to her house multiple times, and had given her a gift card for a massage when she was out sick from work.
The judge granted the employee's request for a temporary protection from harassment order that day. As a result, Creech is prohibited from having any contact with her. A hearing on the matter will be held at Biddeford District Court on July 24. The protection order will remain in effect until then.
The Portland Press Herald reported that Creech cited “health matters” as a reason for his resignation. The newspaper also said that Creech’s attorney, Gregg Frame, had called the court filing “factually bankrupt.”
Frame did not return a message left for him on May 19.
Maine private beaches: Group asks court to rule on public access
In the filing, the employee also accuses Creech of repeatedly telling her he loved her and asking other employees questions about her – when they last saw her, for example, and whether they had talked with her recently.
“He gave me money and would tell me not to trust anyone but him,” the employee wrote.
Creech allegedly said, “he would do anything for me,” and told her that she was beautiful and that he missed her, the employee wrote in the filing.
“I’m concerned he will try to contact me or my kid in or out of school,” the employee wrote. “He has made some irrational choices in and out of school lately, so I am worried of what he may do.”
In a statement to the press, MSAD 35 Superintendent John Caverly said he was aware that a temporary protection from harassment order involving Creech had been issued in court. Caverly said Creech resigned on May 16 and would not be returning to Marshwood Middle School for the remainder of the academic year.
From there, Caverly said he could not comment on personnel issues.
“I can say that MSAD 35 prides itself on having a safe environment to work and learn,” he said. “Should there be allegations of bullying or harassment of any kind, we would follow our procedures and investigate such allegations.”
Dispute settled?: York grants permit to fix historic burned beach house even though owner remains a mystery
In letters to the community on May 17, Caverly said Assistant Principal Kevin Fillion had been appointed interim principal of Marshwood Middle School.
“Our community is fortunate that Mr. Fillion is capable and willing to step into this interim position,” Caverly wrote.
Caverly added the district would start advertising a job opening for the principal position at the school by the end of the week.
10 years later: 10 years later: Fight for Cliff Walk public access in York still an uphill battle
Creech had been an educator at Maine schools for decades. Among his positions, he taught math at Sanford High School early in his career and later served as assistant principal at Kennebunk High School and as principal of Scarborough High School before eventually starting with MSAD 35.
As assistant principal at Kennebunk High School, Creech served as the security director for the district, assisting all schools with planning security drills and procedures, according to a 2013 article in the York County Coast Star. He worked against bullying, and helped to orchestrate informative community discussions, the article stated.
"He's played a big role across the district in making the schools as safe as they can be," said the RSU 21 superintendent at the time.
Creech’s resignation this week is not the first time he has left the top post of a school. In 2018, Creech “resigned suddenly, without giving a public reason” from Scarborough High School, according to the Associated Press. His resignation occurred amid a dispute in the community involving new school start times.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Marshwood Middle School principal resigns amid harassment claims
