UNION, Maine — The Regional School Unit 40 board voted to censure a member after he said the high school’s music program “sucked.”
This was the second time in a year that board member Melvin Williams of Waldoboro has gotten into hot water for comments he made at a meeting. In June 2025, Williams came under criticism for saying special education students should “be home on the farm.”
Williams made his latest comment at the board’s March 16 budget committee meeting. The board was reviewing the budget for middle school music when he commented.
He said the middle school was a great school with a great music program.
“But the high school sucks,” he said.
At the full board’s March 19 meeting, a motion was made by board member Richard Butler to censure Williams and it was approved with all members voting for it other than Williams who abstained.
Censure has no practical effect other than to express displeasure with a person’s actions or comments. Williams did not speak on the matter at the public portion of the meeting.
Immediately prior to the vote, board Chair Danny Jackson read a letter from Mount View High School Principal Linda Pease in support of the school’s music program. Pease said to allow Williams’ comment to go unchallenged would be “unconscionable.” She and a music teacher stated in a letter to the board that there has been an inequity in funding for the music program with no full-time music teacher at the middle school. The decline began prior to the pandemic.
The letter cited the accomplishments of the music program, including four students attending a regional music festival and a senior who has been accepted to multiple schools for music education. In the principal’s letter, she quoted from an educator who said the music teachers are devastated, frustrated, and angry by the comments and students are confused and discouraged.
In the June 2025 incident with Williams, the board was countering claims that it was issuing diplomas “willy nilly” and said it enforces standards before a student can graduate.
Williams then responded. He praised the teachers and administration, saying they were doing all they could for students. He noted that students from Medomak have gone on not just to the University of Maine but Harvard and Yale.
“Now I realize that we got a 25% special ed group. That, you know, they should be home on the farm, they shouldn’t be taking up all this time. But state law says we got to take care of them, too. So, we’re doing our job” Williams said.
The board meeting continued and a few minutes later, Leah Shipps, another Waldoboro board member, responded to Williams’ comment.
“Our special education students are not just taking up space. They are a vibrant part of our community and our schools,” Shipps said. “We are lucky to have them.”
A couple of board members clapped after Shipps’ comments.
Board Chair Danny Jackson posted a notice on the district’s notification system the following weekend after the 2025 incident.
“At our last Board meeting, comments were made by a fellow Board member regarding the District’s obligations to special education students. Those comments were wrong, and they do not reflect the views of this Board collectively or this District, our administrators, or our staff. We value every student, every learner, and every person for who they are. No child is ever treated or viewed as an expense or a statistic. We believe wholeheartedly that every child deserves the opportunity to access their education, and our staff work incredibly hard to make sure every child gets that opportunity. We will continue to do all that we can to make sure all children know that they are welcome here, and that they receive an education that they can be proud of when they leave RSU 40,” Jackson stated.
The Midcoast Villager contacted Williams last year and asked to explain his comments and whether he regretted making them.
“It was taken out of context or my ability to speak. I have helped disadvantage students all my life here on the farm. I am here for all students no matter what race color or creed,” Williams said.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
