POLAND – The Mechanic Falls representative on the Poland Regional High School Committee made accusations Wednesday of improper procedures, micromanagement and unilateral decisions against the Poland chairman.

David Griffiths of Mechanic Falls read a prepared statement during the committee meeting that took Chairman Ike Levine to task for conducting business by e-mail in violation of open meeting requirements, for disrespecting school staff, and for making decisions without full board approval.

“There are far too many apparently unilateral dictates coming from Chairman Levine,” said Griffiths from his written statement. “He has told administrative staff that he speaks for the board when he hands out his orders. That is not true.”

Levine interrupted before Griffiths finished his 4-page statement.

“I’m not going to let you just make things up,” said Levine. “The things you’re saying just aren’t true. If the rest of the board thought it, I wouldn’t be chair.”

Griffiths began his statement by saying that he was speaking in the public interest and that his comments were not intended as a personal assault. Griffiths said that he has had conversations with school staff that have led him to believe Levine’s actions sap staff morale and energy.

“This is an elected board that must carry out its duties in public,” was one part of Griffiths’ written statement pertaining to e-mail communications or business done outside the posted committee meetings that he never got to read.

Committee member Jack Conway of Poland came to the point of yelling when Griffiths attempted to finish his statement.

“First of all, you speak for yourself,” said Conway. “You’re almost saying that we have something to hide.”

Griffiths pointed out that Conway, who is an attorney, previously advised the committee that conducting business through e-mail is the same as a closed meeting, which is against state law for an elected body. Griffiths read his own e-mail memos aloud at Wednesday’s meeting and handed out copies of recent e-mails from Levine to administrative personnel.

None of the other committee members spoke during the heated discussion among Levine, Griffiths and Conway. Peter Bolduc was absent. None of the school staff or administration present Wednesday participated in the discussion, nor would they comment afterward.

Eriks Petersons, a Mechanic Falls resident who attended Wednesday’s meeting, asked Conway whether he had ever represented Levine as a personal attorney and if he was doing so at the meeting.

“I wouldn’t tell you if I had,” replied Conway.

Levine said that no decisions have been made through e-mail communications. He added that School Union 29 Superintendent Nina Schlikin had requested that all questions regarding staff reports be sent electronically to the staff member submitting the report before the next open session so that answers can be prepared.

“Do we communicate through e-mail and telephone? Absolutely,” said Levine when interviewed by telephone after the meeting. “We meet as a board once a month. To think that there would be no interaction or communication with teachers, staff, administrators and students for an entire month is ludicrous. It would be irresponsible.”

Griffiths made clear for the record Wednesday that he was “stifled” and that he “felt deeply about these issues.”

“This affects policy,” said Griffiths. “Why do you not want me to finish what I’ve started to say? Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”

Conway directed Griffiths to place his concerns on the next agenda for board discussion. Griffiths agreed to do so and discontinued his efforts to finish his statement.

“I don’t need to sit here and listen to a prepared presentation,” said Conway. “You’re doing just what you said you’re weren’t going to do, and that is making personal attacks.”

Levine said that he puts in about 5 to 10 hours a week on school-related matters and stood behind all questions that he or other committee members pose to faculty, staff and administration.

“The board is more than happy to discuss procedures,” said Levine. “But we’re not going to listen to David rant and rail.”

Griffiths’ statement concludes by saying that his comments were “motivated by what’s best for the students in Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls.”