AUBURN — Auburn Middle School Assistant Principal Kevin Shaw was convicted of operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident last month.

He says he’s “deeply sorry” and apologizes to the community “for letting everyone down.”

Shaw, 48, of Minot, said he takes responsibility for his actions.

“Drinking and driving is never acceptable,” he said. “At the Auburn Middle School we teach students the values of responsibility, perseverance and resiliency, and these are the values I need to model during this challenging period.”

Shaw said he’s committed to doing everything he can to emerge from the experience “as a better and stronger person. This has impacted every facet of my life personally and professionally. I am embarrassed and disappointed about the negative attention and how this reflects on my family and community.”

After a two-day trial in December, an Androscoggin County Superior Court jury found Shaw guilty. His license was suspended for 210 days, he was fined $1,500 and was ordered to serve four days of alternative sentencing, which typically involves community service.

According to state records, this is Shaw’s only OUI offense.

Shaw was arrested March 24, 2017, after he crashed into a Minot plow truck on Route 119 and left the scene with three passengers, according to an Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office report. Shaw’s front bumper and license plate were left at the scene.

No one was injured.

After tracking down the registered owner of the plate, Deputy Sgt. Rielly Bryant went to Shaw’s residence, knocked on the door and spoke with Shaw. He admitted to being the driver and said he and others had been to several establishments that night.

Bryant administered sobriety tests, which Shaw failed. Tests show his blood-alcohol level was 0.15 percent, nearly twice the legal threshold. He was arrested.

Shaw asked the officer to let him go and “not follow through with this as he felt it would cause him to be terminated,” Bryant wrote in his report.

Shaw remains on the job.

The Auburn School Department does not have a policy on what happens to someone convicted of his offenses, she said. The decision on whether he stays in the job is based on “is he able to perform his duties,” Grondin said. “At this point, it hasn’t interfered.”

Shaw is a veteran educator with more than 20 years at the middle school.

Asked whether Shaw would do any public speaking about his actions given his position as a school leader, Grondin said that could happen if there were a lot of reaction.

There was some initially, “but it has died out,” she said. “I haven’t had a lot of response from the community.” Of those she heard from, more people supported him than not, she said.

Facebook comments on the Sun Journal’s Dec. 13 story when a jury found him guilty included support and criticism.

One woman wrote that she hoped Shaw gets a good lawyer and “can continue with his career.”

Another wrote that Shaw was “an awesome dean” when she was a student at the middle school.

Others said he should be fired. “What a way to teach the kids. I don’t want that kind of guy teaching my kids,” one person wrote.

Another said she was disappointed that Shaw “would always tell kids to never drink and drive” because it is dangerous.

Grondin has acknowledged that Shaw’s conviction is serious.

“He knows we do expect our leaders to be role models.” But, she said, Shaw has done what he needs to do. “He is very remorseful.”

In discussions with students and teachers, Shaw said, he has talked about the importance of taking responsibility and learning from mistakes.

He said he’s received an outpouring of support from teachers, administrators, community members and former students “who have reached out to remind me of the impact I have had in their lives. I will be using my experience as an opportunity to educate students, and volunteering with local youth groups in the area.”

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

Kevin Shaw of Minot, assistant principal at Auburn Middle School, remains in his job after being sentenced last month for drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Shaw said he is deeply sorry and takes responsibility for his actions. (Sun Journal file photo)