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Donajkowski resigns from APS BOE; Board censures him after social media posts

Donajkowski

ALPENA — The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education censured former Trustee Steven Donajkowski on Monday because of sexualized comments he posted to Facebook about Vice President Kamala Harris.

Donajkowski resigned ahead of the board of education meeting on Monday.

The comment Donajkowski made on the Alpena Betterment’s Facebook page–a private group the public can request to join– was in response to a special a local restaurant was offering as part of an event for the Alpena Democratic Party held last week.

Donajkowski on Monday declined comment.

The resolution to censure Donajkowski states the board completely, without reservation, disavows the Feb. 5 Facebook post and comments made by him. A censure is a formal reprimand of a board member by the board.

The resolution also notes, the board “finds Mr. Donajkowski ignored his special responsibilities as a board member and failed to monitor or reflect upon the highly likely adverse effect of his comments on the ongoing work of the district.”

Donajkowski’s comments also caused disruption to school district operations, impaired the reputation of the district and eroded community trust, the resolution stated.

Board President Gordon Snow, who read the resolution during the meeting, declined further comment.

A school board can censure a board member, but it does not have the legal authority to remove a board member from an elected position.

Donajkowski’s decision to step down came as several parents and community members called for his resignation because of those comments.

APS parent Molly Stepanski sent an email to the board, and local media, on Monday asking the board to recognize Donajkowski does not deserve to represent the community or make decisions for the community’s children.

“For some reason, Steven Donajkowski believes that his behavior and actions don’t affect others,” she said in the email. “He’s absolutely wrong. He must resign his school board position immediately.”

Donajkowski did not attend the board meeting.

In Donajkowski’s letter of resignation, Donakowski said he resigned from the position with “sadness and regret.” He stated that, over the course of the last four years, he put in countless hours ensuring the students of APS had all the tools they need to be successful at graduation.

He also noted there was a downside to serving on the board. Donajkowski stated in the letter he brought up tough questions no one else would ask, which brought unwanted attention to his personal life.

“I know that I am letting the voters who reelected me down by resigning, but I would like to be able to have a personal life that is not under constant scrutiny,” he stated in the letter. “I can no longer be me and be happy at the same time while being part of the Alpena Public School Board.”

He also thanked the citizens of Alpena and Presque Isle County for allowing him to represent them on the board.

It is not the first time Donajkowski has been criticized for posts he made on Facebook.

Donajkowski last May had reposted Facebook memes that some community members saw as racist and were reported to the board in July.

The board of education in August adopted a statement distancing itself from Donajkowski. The statement said Donajkowski unintentionally violated the board’s policy that says posting to social media should be done in a manner that’s sensitive to a board member’s responsibilities, applicable district policies, and legal obligations.

The board also sought to make it clear trustees can express opinions and beliefs, but individual statements “should not be construed as expressions of opinions, beliefs, or actions of the entire board.”

Donajkowski was reelected to the school board in November, when five candidates were vying for four seats on the board. Snow received 21.64% votes, Trustee Eric Lawson received 20.55% of votes, Vice President Stacey Parr received 19.46% votes, and Donajkowski received 19.45% of votes.

Former trustee Keri Johns received 18.91% of votes and was not reelected to the board.

The board of education now has 30 days to interview and appoint a new school board member to fill the vacancy.

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