The resignation of Maine School Administrative District 6 Superintendent Frank Sherburne Monday quelled a public uproar over a nepotism issue that has beseiged the district for weeks.

Last week, the school board, following an investigation, found that the district’s nepotism policy had been violated, but did not discipline Sherburne, whose son had worked as an educational technician at Buxton Center Elementary School. Numerous parents had called for the school board to fire Sherburne.

Accepting Sherburne’s resignation, the SAD 6 school board Monday kicked in a $40,000 severance package for Sherburne.

The SAD 6 school board announced Sherburne’s resignation at about 11:20 p.m. following hours in another lengthy discussion behind closed doors.

The board named Michael Roy as the district’s interim superintendent. Roy was assistant superintendent under Sherburne, who was absent Monday when the school board reconvened after an executive discussion to discuss a personnel matter.

“We believe that it is in the best interest of our district, its employees, its students, and the community at large to finally resolve this matter as soon as possible,” Rebecca Bowley, chairwoman of the SAD 6 school board, read in a public statement Monday.  “The severance agreement we have negotiated with the superintendent will avoid a protracted legal battle with the associated legal costs and divisiveness and will bring closure to this matter and allow the board to turn its attention on to important issues facing our district.”

Sherburne’s son, 23-year old Zachariah Sherburne, worked at SAD 6 from Feb. 8 to March 11. Zachariah Sherburne, who was arrested on March 15 on a warrant, was charged with a sex crime involving a 16-year old girl, who is a student in another school district where he previously worked.

This story will be updated in this week’s American Journal and Lakes Region Weekly.

Victoria Hugo-Vidal of Buxton peers over her sign at the SAD 6 school board meeting Monday before the board announced that Superintendent Frank Sherburne had resigned.

SAD 6 Superintendent Frank Sherburne wearing white shirt, red tie and a vest, appears Monday at the school board meeting before the board announced his resignation.