POLAND — Regional School Unit 16 directors will begin searching for a new superintendent by asking staff and Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls residents what they want in a new leader. The survey will be emailed to staff and parents, and will be available on the school system’s website. Hard copies will be available at […]
mike downing
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Minot voters cannot recall fired bus driver elected to RSU 16 board
MINOT — An RSU 16 school bus driver who was fired recently for making racist and sexist comments cannot be removed from his newly elected seat on the school board. Mike Downing was elected to represent Minot on the RSU 16 school board March 2. A write-in candidate, he won the open seat with 31 votes, […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
A terrible moral standard
In response to the article published regarding Mike Downing’s termination from RSU 16 (March 28), I am beyond infuriated by the situation. As an alumnus of RSU 16 and an African-American, it is an embarrassment to the local community and state that a bigoted man was allowed to be employed by a school district for […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
A different side to Mike Downing
The recent story that summarized RSU 16 school bus driver Mike Downing, based on a few remarks without the context in which they were said, could not be further from the truth as to who he is. It was a character assassination. Downing has worked for his community for 30-plus years as a bus driver, […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Downing wrong for school board
My husband and I moved to Poland 16 years ago. Our son was seven and our daughter was six. We chose Poland because of RSU 16. We wanted our children to attend a school system where individuality was celebrated and where social consciousness was integrated in an academically rigorous curriculum. RSU 16 exceeded our expectations. […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Downing should step down
I learned of Mike Downing’s termination of employment with RSU 16 and his subsequent election to the school board in an article published in the Sun Journal (Wednesday, March 28). To say that I was shocked by the article would be an understatement. As a parent, a woman and a person of African American descent, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
RSU 16 bus driver fired for racist, sexist comments wins school board seat
MINOT — An RSU 16 school bus driver fired several weeks ago for racist and sexist comments has been elected to the board of the school system that fired him. Mike Downing, 68, admits he has made comments over the years, including in recent months, calling Martin Luther King Jr. Day “National N(word) Day” and […]