SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — The South Portland School Department's diversity, equity, and inclusion coordinator has resigned after he received a racist email last month.
South Portland Superintendent Tim Matheney announced Mohammed Albehadli's departure Thursday in a letter to South Portland families, describing it as the "most vile email message I have seen in my 35 years in education."
"Because of the racist content of the message, Mohammed and his family developed concerns about their safety and reconsidered their decision to live in the area," Matheney said.
"Mohammed's departure is a significant loss to South Portland. He has built strong relationships throughout our community and served as an important advocate on the most critical issues we face," the superintendent continued. "We are very grateful for his excellent work in the district."
Matheney said the situation is being reviewed by South Portland Police Department and the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office.
Matheney wouldn't disclose the full details of the email, but said it suggested people like Albehadli were not welcome.
He said part of the email stated this: "White parents don't want their children going to school with Black and brown kids who don't belong in the United States... White people in Maine do not appreciate what you are trying to do."
Matheney said Albehadli would be done at the end of this week. When the time is right, he said the district would seek a successor to Albehadli to continue the important work he has begun and sustain the progress he has already achieved.
Albehadli sent a statement through the Superintendent's office to NEWS CENTER Maine, stating he is grateful for the support.
"This event has been distressing to me and the family. I’d like to take this opportunity to share my sincere gratitude for the South Portland School Department. I’m thankful for the support I received from the superintendent, the district‘s admin team, teachers and staff, and families from the community as well," Albehadli said in a statement.
The South Portland City Council and South Portland Human Rights Commission issued the following statement on Feb. 8 regarding Albehadli's resignation, saying in part:
"On Friday, January 19, South Portland School Department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Mohammed Albehadli, resigned from his position. Leading up to his resignation, Mohammed received a despicable email message containing racist content so horrific that he and his family feared for their safety and well-being.
His departure marks a devastating loss for our community.
Mohammed is a valued member of our community, whose very profession was to address racial inequities, celebrate diversity, and foster inclusion for all students of South Portland schools. Mohammed’s recent focus on racial and socioeconomic inequities in our elementary schools was a courageous undertaking. We renew our allegiance and partnership to the South Portland Schools to continue the important work of addressing the inequities that Mohammed sought to remedy.
South Portland City Council and the South Portland Human Rights Commission are grateful for the efforts of Superintendent of Schools Tim Matheney and the district's administrative team, the South Portland Police Department, and the District Attorney's office in reviewing this incident. We trust that we all seek justice and protection for Mohammed and his family and will continue to stand united against any form of racism within our community."