Deer Isle superintendent calls police on school board member

DEER ISLE, Maine — While a downed electrical wire caused an emergency closure of the Deer Isle Causeway on Aug. 9, deputies from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of disorderly conduct at Deer Isle-Stonington High School following a call from School Union 76 Superintendent Dan Ross.

An incident report obtained by the Ad-Vantages from the sheriff’s office states that “Daniel Ross, School Superintendent, called reporting that [school board member] James [Darrell] Williams was being disorderly and came unannounced to a meeting at the school. [Ross reported that] James would not leave when asked and was still yelling about what he was angry about.”

The incident report further states that Williams was given a warning and apologized before heeding the responding officers’ advice to go home for the day. According to the report, Ross stated that Williams “is angry about some employees that gave their notice to resign which was posted on social media.”

According to the report, Ross was not looking to pursue charges. He declined comment for this story.

Williams, in an interview this week with the Ad-Vantages, said that the incident on Aug. 9 was witnessed by numerous school staff and by school board co-chair Chelsea Torrey, who confirmed that she was there to talk with Ross when the incident with Williams occurred.

“It came to my attention from multiple reliable sources that false and slanderous accusations were being spread about myself and fellow board members,” Williams said. “Upon hearing about this, I decided to go to the central office, which is a place board members go regularly to discuss things with the superintendent.”

Williams said that when he arrived at the superintendent’s office, Ross refused to meet with him and would only speak with Torrey, who said she was there separately to discuss matters that included the concerns shared by Williams. Williams and Torrey both confirmed it is standard for school board members to visit the central office as part of the routine duties of their elected positions.

Williams spoke with the Ad-Vantages about the incident and provided a statement by email.

“[Ross] asked me to leave or he was going to call the cops,” Williams said in the statement. “I told him to go ahead and call, ‘that’s your go to when you don’t want to talk.’ At that point he left the Central Office into the school hallway. I remained in the Central Office not knowing if he actually called, but if he did, I didn’t want to be perceived as ‘running away’ or having something to be afraid of. Two Sheriffs and a warden did arrive. We discussed the situation at length and then I left without any incident,” Williams stated.

Torrey said that she was present at the office and witnessed the entire incident. She said she did not perceive Williams’ behavior as threatening or disruptive.

Torrey, who was the sole chairperson at the time — she shares that role with board member Genevieve McDonald, as of Aug. 16 — said that she made immediate efforts to inform the other three school board members, who were not present when the situation with Ross and Williams occurred.

“It is important that we practice civility in discourse,” McDonald said in an emailed statement Aug. 19. “The school board is aware this incident took place and the pursuit of further grievances is at the discretion of the affected parties. School board members are elected officials and therefore their actions are governed by the people.”

Williams was appointed to the school board in 2018 by the Deer Isle select board to fill a vacant seat. He successfully ran for his first three-year term in 2019. He said it is imperative that he and Ross have a functioning relationship in order to conduct the requisite business of the schools.

“I believe everyone on the school board has the best interest of every child on this island at heart,” he said.

This article appears through a media sharing agreement with the Penobscot Bay Press.