RSU 24 board adopts Title IX alignment policy after heated public comment

The RSU 24 school board voted to adopt AC‑R, a Title IX alignment policy directing the district to follow state and federal laws as interpreted by a referenced executive order; the board set implementation for July 1, 2026. Chair (Speaker 1) announced the result as 4,966 votes in favor and 2,455 opposed, with abstentions recorded in the transcript (see clarifying note below).

Public comment preceding the vote was sharply divided. Edward Matthias (Speaker 6) accused board members of pursuing policies motivated by outside political groups and urged adherence to the RSU 24 code of ethics. He specifically alleged that a board member had coordinated with outside activists and advisers. "Members of this body have, in bad faith, pursued the enactment of a policy inspired by outside political organizations," Matthias said, urging the board to resist outside pressure.

David Arthur Kendall (Speaker 7) delivered an emotional testimony describing personal harms he attributed to what he called 'trans ideology' and urged the board to prioritize parental rights and child protection. "My life was stolen by the lie of transgenderism," he said.

Speakers in support of keeping inclusive policies countered those claims. David Wega (Speaker 8), who said he has advocated for LGBTQ rights for decades, warned that silencing diversity work harms students: "Children need to be seen. They need to be heard, and they need to feel like they are visible and welcome and safe." Alan Sarvinas (Speaker 13), who identified himself as state director for Parents Rights in Education, urged the board to implement the policy to honor the prior vote he said had been put before voters.

Board members debated the legal risks and duties of the board. Committee member (Speaker 15) argued the policy violated federal law and the Maine Human Rights Act and noted ongoing litigation risk. Chair (Speaker 1) responded that the board had previously passed a resolution to comply with federal law as interpreted by the referenced executive order and said it would be inappropriate to continue delaying adoption of policies that implement that resolution. "At some point in time in the future, this will get ironed out in court," the chair said.

The vote concluded the discussion. The transcript records the chair’s announcement of 4,966 in favor and 2,455 opposed; additional numeric entries in the transcript about abstentions are partially garbled and have been reported in the meeting record with uncertainty (see clarifying_details). The policy will take effect July 1, 2026, subject to any legal developments.

Next steps: Administration noted legal exposure and that implementation details would require follow-up by counsel and staff. Several board members asked that the administration and counsel provide clearer implementation guidance and cost estimates for expected legal defenses or accommodations.