KENNEBUNK, Maine — Kennebunk Arundel Kennebunkport Education Association (KAKEA), the teachers' union that represents educators and specialists employed by Regional School Unit 21, took action against the RSU 21 school board Tuesday, filing a complaint to the Maine Labor Relations Board.
The complaint formally accuses RSU 21 school board members of engaging in a prohibited labor practice, violating the rights of its employees under state labor laws.
The union and the school board's labor contract negotiations committee has been stuck at the bargaining table since December, working to come to an agreement on terms for a labor contract.
The union said KAKEA representatives have been working to bargain in good faith with the school board, but they claim school board members are interfering with the negotiation process.
KAKEA's complaint calls out the school board's chief negotiator, Kirstin Shapiro, following her emotional outburst at last week's school board meeting.
At the end of the school board meeting, Shapiro shared that she and her family have allegedly received threats from teachers in the district. She also claimed that she is being harassed by educators in the district, accusing RSU 21 teachers of using her 4-year-old old daughter to terrorize her family.
"On multiple occasions, educators in this district have used my 4-year-old daughter to retaliate against my family. That is wildly inappropriate and illegal," Shapiro shouted during the school board meeting, with tears filling her eyes.
In its press release, KAKEA wrote, "Ms. Shapiro offered no evidence to support the allegations, and no complaints have been made regarding teachers or employees who work in the schools."
In the complaint KAKEA submitted to the Maine Labor Relations Board, KAKEA wrote, “On information and belief the Association believes these allegations are untrue and as such represent an attempt by the school committee through its negotiations chair to interfere with ongoing negotiations and coerce the Association to capitulate to the Board’s last proposal made June 6, 2024.”
Parents whose children attend RSU 21 schools were stunned by the outburst.
"The allegations are incredibly serious," Linsey Clancy said. "That's why I sent an email to the school board asking them to investigate because, if that is the case, that is not okay. And a staff member that has done something like that should be held accountable. But if it wasn't true or if it was exaggerated, that is slander. And if they got some kind of pushback at their job because of it, that would be defamation. It's not appropriate to make claims like that without evidence in my opinion."
Clancy, like many others, has shared her dissatisfaction with some of the school board's members and the district's leadership.
Clancy said she is disappointed that teachers are still working without renewed contracts.
"Just thinking of working a job where you didn't have a contract and still showing up," Clancy said. "Honestly, I'm impressed."
Other parents, like Martine Kalbhenn, added that she has always had great interactions with RSU 21 teachers. She said she can't imagine a teacher threatening or harassing a school board member.
Kalbhenn added that she too has been disappointed in the district's leadership and recent happenings.
"We moved here for this district, and this is not the district that we moved here for," Kalbhenn said.
Clancy said she is happy that KAKEA took action against the district.
"I'm very proud of them. I'm not surprised to see a statement after the meeting they referenced last week," Clancy said.
In a statement responding to the teacher's union's claims against the district, RSU 21's school board chair, Lesley Stoeffler, wrote, "These allegations are false. We are currently engaged in a formal mediation process with KAKEA, which we entered into in good faith. Our focus remains on fair negotiations and reaching a mutually beneficial agreement through this structured, impartial process."
NEWS CENTER Maine reached out to Stoeffler regarding Shapiro's claims, but Stoeffler has not responded.
In regards to Shapiro's claims that she and her family have received threats from teachers, RSU 21's communications director, Matt Shinberg, said he had no prior knowledge of any district school board member receiving threats. He said he believes those claims fall under school board issues, and questions about the claims should be directed to the school board chair.
NEWS CENTER Maine also reached out to Shapiro the day after the school board meeting and again on Wednesday to learn more about the threats and harassment that she and her family have allegedly experienced. Shapiro has not responded.
NEWS CENTER Maine went a step further, reaching out to Shapiro's husband, Zack Shapiro, asking him about the threats their family allegedly received. He has not responded.
KAKEA said they are asking the Maine Labor Relations Board to issue an order requiring the RSU 21 school board to cease and desist from interfering with the union's work.
KAKEA said there are no further meetings scheduled with the school board negotiation committee at this time.