GRAY – After three, consecutive executive sessions last week, the SAD 15 board agreed to hold a hearing next week that involves a decision to dismiss an unnamed district employee.

Interim Superintendent Vickie Burns said the board has hired Bryan Dench of the Auburn law firm of Skelton, Taintor and Abbott as counsel to the board for a pending personnel matter involving the possible dismissal of an employee of the district. She declined to name the employee.

A hearing before the board is scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, in the Gray -New Gloucester Middle School library. The superintendent said it is expected to be closed to the public.

The board decided to consult with counsel regarding the legal rights and duties of the board with regard to insurance and liability matters.

The board has been asked by Burns to investigate the charges and conduct this hearing to consider the possible dismissal of the employee. Burns said she is the direct supervisor of that employee but would not name the person.

Last week, the board also agreed to indemnify district employees whose testimony is needed for the case. Employees of the district who have information pertinent to the charges and these proceedings had been fearful that their participation could expose them to personal liability, Burns said. Because of that, she said, their participation might not be forthcoming unless they were be indemnified.

The board agreed that in the best interests of the schools that the hearing be full and fair, providing for all available, relevant evidence.

“We need lawyers in order to do the right thing,” Burns said Tuesday.

Although the hearing may be closed, the employee retains the right to have the session held in open session before the public.