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Derek Shirley was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Maine School Administrative District 15 School Board, which oversees schools in Gray and New Gloucester, until the June 2027 elections.

Shirley, who also chairs the ordinance advisory committee and serves on the zoning board of appeals, was alternately praised at the meeting for being passionate, knowledgeable, and an independent thinker, while also being criticized by some residents for his outspokenness and social media presence.

During the public comment, Shirley gave a passionate defense of his record, talking about his experience both working in town government and as part of the Maine Cannabis Coalition, calling out residents whom he felt were attacking his character, and said he would “show up every day, listen to every student, teacher, administrator, and put forth policies that fit the data.”

“Board policy isn’t rocket science,” said Shirley. “It’s showing up.”

During the process of filling the vacancy, there was debate on the transparency of the process through which the final three nominees, Shirley, Michael Buhelt and David Hall, were chosen. Resident Chandler Cole, who was one of six applicants, but was rejected, questioned why the Town Council only moved three nominees forward for a vote when it previously said up to five would be considered. Cole accused council Chair Vincent Palange of “making a mockery” of the school board, and called Shirley “the biggest turd-stirrer in town.”

Palange defended the decision to reduce the number of finalists from five to three, saying that, while the Town Council has the right to put anyone it wants on the school board, it chose to put a process forward. He said the reason the board picked three as opposed to five was because, with only six applicants, the board felt it was unfair to exclude just one person. Palange also said he was not impressed by the way some residents were going after Shirley, saying they should not confuse his passion for aggression.

Sam Pfeifle, who has been on the school board for more than a decade and is the longest tenured member, brought up the fact that the school board is a unique governing body in the state of Maine. He cited the 1924 Maine Supreme Court ruling of Shaw vs. Small, when the court ruled against a school in Yarmouth trying to exclude a student, and said that, while boards are chosen by the voters of their communities, their primary duty is to oversee public education and make sure it operates well.

Shirley was appointed to fill the position with Councilors Palange, Judy Simoneau and Pamela Edson voting in favor, Councilor Anne Gass voting against, and Councilor Michael Johnson abstaining.

Following his appointment, Shirley said he felt the position was a great step up, and said he looked forward to working with every board member, student, administrator and teacher in the future for all policy-making decisions. When asked whether he would run for a full term next summer, he said he would “do what residents want him to do.”