While union ‘lost patience,’ Hallowell-area superintendent’s contract still renewed by school board
After a motion to table the contract approval was defeated, Superintendent Tonya Arnold's contract was renewed through June 30, 2023, in an 8-1 vote.
Regional School Unit 2 Superintendent Tonya Arnold, seen during a Zoom school board meeting Sept. 3, 2020.
Zoom screenshot
HALLOWELL — Regional School Unit 2 Superintendent Tonya Arnold said in email to staff Feb. 3 that 85% of the district’s coronavirus cases were because of teachers and staff, a claim that quickly sparked controversy and led the teachers union to say it had “lost patience” with her leadership.
She followed that up the morning of Feb. 4 with another message to district employees apologizing to anyone whose feelings were hurt by her communication from the day before. Hours later, after a motion to postpone the decision failed, the RSU 2 board of directors approved a contract extension for Arnold to keep her in the post for another two-plus years.