FARMINGTON — More than two weeks after a photograph of a local principal in a Halloween costume went viral and sparked a social media firestorm, district residents had their first opportunity to address the school board about the controversy.

Initially posted to Facebook, the image showed Mt. Blue Middle School Principal James Black dressed in an ICE officer costume at a private family event. Photographs began circulating on social media platforms Nov. 1, resulting in a wave of comments from across the district, state and country.

The Mt. Blue Regional School District has largely avoided sharing information about the incident, citing a legal obligation to maintain the confidentiality of employees.

On Nov. 7, Superintendent Christian Elkington acknowledged a “challenging week” for the community, and reaffirmed the district’s commitment to providing students and their families with a “safe and inclusive learning environment.”

Elkington also shared a letter from Black addressed to the RSU 9 community.

“I am writing to address the recent situation involving a Facebook post, showing me wearing an ‘ICE’ costume on Halloween,” Black wrote. “I want to express my sincere regret that this image has caused concern or discomfort within our community. It was never my intent to create harm, offend, or target any group or individual. The costume was chosen in a lighthearted spirit, without consideration for the broader implications it might have, and I recognize how it could have been perceived differently by others.”

A Nov. 14 post on RSU 9’s Facebook page said the district had received more than 1,000 emails and telephone calls about the issue over the previous two weeks.

More than 200 people partially filled the Mt. Blue Campus auditorium Nov. 18 for the first public meeting since the photographs circulated online. Sixteen residents from towns within or near the district addressed the board during a roughly 40-minute public comment period.

Board Chair Gwen Doak repeatedly reminded speakers to avoid referencing specific individuals — a requirement of the board’s public comment policy. The remarks largely fell into two categories: Seven speakers emphasized the need for leadership from those in positions of trust, the importance of accountability and the impact the incident had on students. Nine others focused on employees’ First Amendment rights, the importance of tolerance for diverse viewpoints and the positive role Black had played in their children’s education.

Nancy Richardson, of Wilton, a district bus driver, said she attended the meeting to speak on behalf of employees’ dedication to making students feel safe and the great lengths they take to achieve that goal. She added that staff members also need time to relax outside the public eye.

“Please, I’m asking to let this chapter be behind us,” Richardson said. “We are all professional people when we are transporting, educating, coaching or even at Walmart. But I would like you to please put this chapter behind us.”

Ed Ferreira, of New Sharon, a former district employee, called for “moral leadership” from staff members and the community as part of the district’s commitment to safe, nurturing schools. He said that being sensitive to the impact of trauma was a vital part of that responsibility. 

“I feel the actions of the ICE agency in our country recently have been traumatizing,” Ferreira said. “We are trying to create, I think in this community, a trauma-sensitive school district where we decrease the amount of trauma that kids experience in their lives.”

Every speaker received applause from various groups of supporters, despite repeated reminders from Doak that the meeting was not a sporting event. The atmosphere, however, remained largely civil, and attendees appeared to listen attentively.

Susan Black, of Wilton, who identified the subject of the controversy as her son, spoke in defense of James Black.

“Who he is speaks for itself,” Susan Black said. “The real issue is not about a Halloween costume. It is about infringing on our First Amendment rights.”

She went on to say that “reducing diversity to whether you personally approve of someone is the opposite of inclusion.”

Susan Black received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her remarks. 

Doug Hodum, of Farmington, a teacher who said he represented the majority of the local association’s elected officers, said he was there to speak about the importance of leadership in a district “mired by crisis.”

“In our district, we are faced with a time where our leadership is being questioned. Through that circumstance, we have an opportunity to grow,” Hodum said. “Leaders step up and take responsibility when we misstep. We own our mistakes and we recognize when we have done harm — intentional or otherwise.”

As Doak noted at the start of the meeting, no board member or Elkington offered public comment or addressed the issue afterward.

After a brief recess to allow the room to clear, the board resumed its otherwise short agenda in a mostly empty auditorium. Members unanimously approved continuing a cooperative agreement that allows Mt. Blue High School students to play on the Winslow High School girls’ ice hockey team.

This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. To get regular coverage from The Monitor, sign up for a free Monitor newsletter here.