Resident criticizes RSU 73 board vote on sexes and an apparent outside group's influence; director's resignation read into record

During public comment at the RSU 73 School Board meeting, Linda Dean (speaker 5), a Livermore resident, criticized the board’s June 26 vote to "recognize only 2 sexes," saying the decision ignored pleas from students, the superintendent and the district’s counsel and instead followed recommendations from an outside political group named in the transcript.

"This group is not from our community...It’s part of a national, well funded effort to push extreme ideology onto school boards and now RSU 73," Linda Dean said, urging the board to reconsider and to follow state law until or unless that law is changed. She said the board’s decision sends a chilling message to LGBTQ+ students and families.

Later in the meeting, a board member (speaker 6) read a resignation letter from Director Brian Riley (letter read into the record). The letter stated Mr. Riley could not remain on the board after recent actions he described as "unnecessary and reckless," criticized the practice of seeking legal opinions that align with personal beliefs, and cited erosion of trust and unprofessional behavior including hostile comments on district social media. The reader summarized Riley’s decision as an immediate resignation and asked the board to pass along wishes for his recovery and well-being.

No formal board action on the June 26 policy or the outside group was recorded during this meeting; the transcript contains public criticism and a resignation letter read into the minutes. The superintendent and board did not provide a policy reversal or a formal response to the public comment in the record.

What happens next: The public comment and resignation are in the meeting record; any formal reconsideration of the June 26 vote or response to concerns would require future agenda action by the board.