culture wars put marginalized people, education at risk

Maine's largest rural and geographic public school district has found itself in crisis since the pandemic. Most recently, fringe groups have recruited and trained local citizens - from nondescript to state leaders - to disrupt and divide the community, especially threatening LGBTQIA+ youth. Below is coverage of a controversial gender identity policy I reported on since October of 2022. The most recent development is that one school board director, whose conduct has undermined the work of the district, is stepping down rather than remain the face of intolerance.