The month-long dispute over Mt. Blue Middle School Principal James Black’s Halloween costume reached another tense moment Tuesday, November 18, as dozens of supporters dressed in black packed the RSU 9 school board meeting to show solidarity.
Many spoke publicly, urging the district to move on from the controversy.
Friday morning, Superintendent Christian Elkington confirmed in writing (below) to The Maine Wire that Black has been back at work for two weeks, a fact not previously shared publicly and not mentioned at the meeting because the matter remains classified as a personnel issue.
Good Morning!
Principal Black is at school and has been the last two weeks.
My best to you and yours,
Christian M. Elkington
Superintendent
Mt. Blue Regional School Unit #9
The debate began after Black dressed as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent at a Halloween party hosted by his sister, a costume that some community members deemed offensive.
Although Black’s name was not mentioned during the Tuesday meeting due to district policy, nearly every comment circled back to that choice and whether it warranted disciplinary action.
“What you may have done behind closed doors may or may not be enough to adequately deal with the problem,” one speaker said.
Others voiced frustration with the district’s confidentiality rules, saying the public has no way of knowing whether the situation was handled appropriately.
“I see damage that was done and people that were hurt. What I have yet to see is the repair,” another attendee said.
Elkington defended the policy, reiterating that the district cannot disclose internal personnel decisions but does review community feedback when evaluating its procedures.
“When suggestions come to us from the public, we always take a look to see if we should adjust what we do,” he said.
Supporters, many of whom came to the meeting dressed in black, argued that the controversy has been blown out of proportion. Black’s mother spoke forcefully in his defense, saying critics were ignoring broader principles.
“The real issue is not a Halloween costume. It’s about infringing on our First Amendment rights,” she said.
Parents also described Black as well-liked among students and central to creating a positive environment at Mt. Blue Middle School.
“My kid loves his principal. Why are the kids not here? Has anybody asked the kids if they even want him removed?” one parent asked.
A Farmington resident, Alexander Creznic, submitted written comments to The Maine Wire defending Black, saying the costume was worn privately at a family event and did not warrant the level of public backlash it received. Creznic argued that the criticism has created a culture of fear in the community, noting that Black’s extended family temporarily closed their business after receiving threats. He also said Black has had a meaningful, positive impact on students and that many families want him fully reinstated, saying his critics do not reflect the lived experiences of most parents.
The discussion revived familiar tensions about whether educators should be judged for off-duty conduct. RSU 9 policy does not regulate what staff do outside school, but it does require the board to review actions that could impact job performance.
In a follow-up communication with Superintendent Christian Elkington on Friday afternoon, the Maine Wire asked why neither he nor the school board informed the public at Tuesday’s meeting that Principal Black had returned to work two weeks earlier. Elkington responded that “the board and superintendent do not comment during public comment time. We also do not announce when staff are absent and when staff return. Since there is so much misinformation out there I decided to comment to you.”
With Elkington now confirming that Black has quietly resumed his duties, Tuesday’s meeting made clear that the public remains sharply divided between those who believe the issue is settled and those who say the district still owes parents answers. Meanwhile, for the students at Mt. Blue, it’s back to school as usual.
