Megan Parks re-elected school committee chair amid dispute over nomination process

The Lewiston Public Schools school committee re-elected Megan Parks as chair during its Jan. 6 meeting, but the vote prompted extended debate and calls to revisit the committee—s procedural rules.

Member Elizabeth Eames nominated Parks; the nomination was seconded by Councilor Scott Harriman. The motion passed 5-4, according to the committee tally announced in public session.

Several committee members objected to how nominations were handled. Member Amber Hurd and others said they were not given an opportunity to put forward alternative nominations before the committee voted. "I don't feel comfortable only hearing 1 nomination for chair," Hurd said during the meeting, urging that all nominations be heard.

Supporters said the committee's locally adopted procedural rules authorize the sequence used at the meeting, which places a single motion on the floor and votes on it. One member noted that the committee had previously voted to adopt the current procedural rules. The city charter was also cited as requiring officer selection at the first meeting of the year.

Several members called for the committee to rescind the vote or to prioritize revising procedural rules before the next officer vote; no rescission was recorded in public minutes. Superintendent Jake Legless acknowledged the tension and said he would review language and procedures to help the committee reconcile competing views.

The exchange consumed substantial meeting time and led multiple members to request a workshop or special session to consider procedural rules before the committee's next joint meeting with the city council.