PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – An internal investigation shows University of Southern Maine officials knew a former school superintendent’s handling of racist complaints raised concerns when they offered her a tenure-track position.

During her time as the superintendent of the Regional School Unit 21, Katie Hawes dealt with the fallout from a former teacher’s complaint alleging retaliation for reporting racist incidents at Kennebunk High School.

A letter from the provost released Wednesday states official unanimously supported Hawes despite knowledge of the situation and a complaint from the Maine Human Rights Commission.

The Portland Press Herald reports Hawes was offered a $60,000-per-year tenure position in the educational leadership department last spring.

Hawes says she’s happy to know she was “fully vetted in the hiring process.”