Bangor School Committee Selects Veteran Councilor as Chair
BANGOR, Maine – The Bangor School Committee unanimously appointed longtime city councilor Joe Leonard as its chair during a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning at City Hall. Katie Brydon was selected as vice chair. The appointments mark a new chapter for the committee as it navigates ongoing challenges within the Bangor School Department.
Leonard’s selection comes despite a history of public reprimands from his city council colleagues. He has been formally censured three times,most recently after responding to white supremacist rhetoric during public comment with a gesture and by throwing a pen. Leonard acknowledged his past conduct, stating he had made a “new year’s resolution not to get censured again.”
The committee also swore in Benjamin Speed as a new member. Timothy Surrette was chosen as chair and Katie Brydon as vice chair. The appointments signal the committee’s intent to move forward collaboratively as it addresses issues facing Bangor’s public schools.
Correction: an earlier version of this report misspelled Susan Hawes’ name.
