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The Portland school board has a few days to mull a controversial firing decision that drew hundreds of people to a marathon, eight-hour meeting Tuesday night.
The board has been asked to decide whether the district can fire
Jemal Murph, the athletic director at Lincoln Middle School, for hitting a student at a soccer match last fall.
Murph and his attorney insist he acted in self-defense after being assaulted by a group of students from another school who were not supposed to be at the soccer field that day because of previous bad behavior at sporting events.
Education reporter Riley Board was there for every minute of Tuesday's hearing, likening the proceeding to a court hearing, rather than a school board meeting.
Ultimately, the board decided just before 1 a.m. to delay the vote until Friday night. They cannot take any more evidence or public comment, or discuss the case among themselves, in the meantime.
- Until next week,
Julia |
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FEATURED PHOTO |
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Julie O’Boyle poses with her new vintage hat purchased at Lost and Found Vintage Market at Thompson’s Point in November. O’Boyle said she is a huge believer in buying clothing and accessories secondhand, and not just vintage. She keeps a thrift list on her phone of things she is keeping an eye out for. “You just need to be patient,” she said. “You’ll find what you’re looking for eventually.” Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald |
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A sailboat was stolen from the Fore Points Marina. Its owner spotted it in Casco Bay. Police say the man they found aboard caused $25,000 in damages.
Construction on a luxury development along the eastern shore will force the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. to temporarily shut down for several months longer than expected. The plans call for moving the rail line and the Eastern Promenade trail closer to the water to make space for nearly 400 new units of housing and other shops, restaurants and workspaces.
Portland police are investigating a second report of shots fired into an apartment building near Morrill's Corner within the last four months. There have been no arrests made and it was unclear Tuesday whether the two shootings were related.
The City Council and school board continue to debate how to set up an ethics commission intended to oversee the most powerful officials in the city. Some say including the school board, which wasn't explicitly included in the voter referendum that pushed the commission forward, could complicate its mission.
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THANK YOU
From Thanksgiving through the New Year, 452 individuals stepped up to help us raise $37,611. Your belief in local news sustains the work we do every day at the Portland Press Herald. |
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Julia Arenstam is a co-managing editor of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. She spent several years reporting in the bayous of south Louisiana before becoming an executive producer in Baton Rouge. Story suggestions are always welcome. |
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