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School board chair calls threatening letters 'terribly upsetting'

SCARBOROUGH (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Police in Scarborough are trying to track down the people they believe sent threatening letters to the school superintendent and all the members of the school board.

It’s the latest piece of a long argument that began with the resignation of the high school principal. Those letters were received weeks ago, and police had been quiet about them until Wednesday.

Police Chief Robbie Moulton would not disclose the actual wording of the letters, but agreed with the Board of Education conclusion that the letters were “threatening, demeaning, misogynistic and defamatory.” The chief also said the letter to the Superintendent’s husband included a claim that the author of the letter had knowledge of conversations happening inside the home.

“Which is particularly concerning,” said Moulton, “understanding the only way that could happen was someone in the home to plant a listening device or hacking into a computer or some means of illegal electronic surveillance of some sort.”

School board chair Donna Beeley said the whole situation was “terribly upsetting.” Beeley received one of the letters, and is also a target of the current effort to recall three board members, presumably to then get rid of the superintendent.

“To see this happen, to just tear apart somebody’s personal character or family life, threatening in a way that made her say, ‘am I safe in my own house?' What’s happening here?” asked Beeley.

Police say they have evidence of one particular person involved with the letters, but believe there are several others. The Chief would not speculate on whether there would be criminal charges.

The recall effort is proceeding. A public hearing, at which the thee board members will have the chance to defend themselves, is scheduled for next week.

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