GARDINER — Barry Manning, a member of the Gardiner-area school board, has said he will not resign, contrary to what he posted to Facebook a little more than a week ago after a spat with a community member.

Manning resigned through a public Facebook post after Ariel Sides, a community member, posted a video of him sleeping during a school board meeting.

It was unclear if Manning actually resigned as the district never received a resignation letter.

On Thursday, Manning arrived at the school board meeting with an apology letter in one hand and a coffee in the other, promising to be a better representative.

“The fact of the matter is that I was not the representative that the district deserves. Every seat on this board should be occupied by reps like Michelle (Tucker) and (former) rep Elissa Tracey, who I did not see eye-to-eye with on many issues, but nonetheless, was a great rep,” he said.

“It is for this reason, effective immediately, I’d like you to accept my recognition that sleeping during a meeting is not a good look.”

The spat between Sides and Manning occurred in a comment string after Sides posted a link to Kennebec Journal story that identified Manning’s connection to a parents’ rights group that has opposed the creation of school-based health center in the district. In response to a comment that someone made saying that “money equals corruption.” Manning said the corruption is why he didn’t vote for the school-based health center.

The school-based health center is an ongoing point of contention among members of the Maine School Administrative District 11 board, as several including Manning, are against it. They believe it will provide gender affirming care to transgender students.

Manning is one of two Randolph representatives on the 12-person board The district also encompasses Gardiner, West Gardiner and Pittston.

In Manning’s apology letter, he said the district deserves more representatives like “his friend” Tucker. Manning said he admires her ability to do the homework and show up to the school board despite her busy schedule.

He ended his letter with an apology to anyone he offended with his sleeping.

Moving forward, he promised to nap whenever possible, before meetings.

“I would like to thank Ms. Sides for the well-needed wake up call, no pun intended,” he said.