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Residents criticize Nobleboro board after appointment of Jake Maxman to open seat
Summary
The board appointed Jake Maxman to a vacant seat after a failed nomination for Rick Gaeth; multiple residents called the process opaque and warned the move could erode trust.
The Nobleboro School Board appointed Jake Maxman to an open school-board seat at its April 13 meeting after a nomination for Rick Gaeth failed and community members raised objections to the selection process.
During the meeting board members nominated Rick Gaeth for the vacancy; that motion failed. The board then nominated Jake Maxman and approved his appointment by roll call. The board indicated Maxman would receive a one-week placement moving forward.
Several residents used the public-comment period to criticize the board’s process. One former school-board member said the appointment process "feels slimy," warning that the town could lose faith in the board’s transparency. Other residents argued the board should have appointed Rick Gaeth, citing his campaign and community involvement; one commenter characterized the decision as "a slap in the face" to voters who supported Gaeth.
The board did not provide a public-recorded rationale that changed the result; members said they had legal latitude to fill the seats by vote. The superintendent and chair noted the board followed its internal nomination and roll-call procedures during the meeting. The board did not reverse the appointment before adjournment.
What happens next: The newly appointed member will serve in the interim as described by the board; residents called for clearer procedures for future appointments and suggested the board take steps to rebuild public trust.
