RSU 50 begins talks for new superintendent

    DYER BROOK, Maine — Now that the district finally has a budget, the RSU 50 school board turned its attention to its next major hurdle facing the district — finding a new superintendent.
The RSU 50 board discussed its options and timeline during its regular monthly meeting Sept. 14.
    Interim Superintendent John Doe said he had been in contact with the Maine School Management Agency and their suggestion to the board was for the group to pick a date that it would like to have a new superintendent in place and then work backwards from that point.
Doe said the district could start advertising for the position around the first of December, but before that happens, the board needs to establish what its goals for the district are and what expectations it has for its new superintendent.
“A committee would then be established to go through the screening process,” he said. “Then in January or February, you would look to do your interviews, narrow the field down and then do a second interview on one or two candidates.”
“The earliest possible date (to hire) would probably be March, with a start date of July 1,” Doe said. “That would provide for a transition period for that person to come to your board meetings in April, May and June. That way they would be operational on July 1.”
Doe added that December is the optimal time to seek applicants because that is the time when most school boards discuss contracts for their superintendents.
“Some may choose to leave their district at that time,” he said. “You may hire someone in March, but if they are in a position, you might have to wait 60 to 90 days before they can start.”
Doe has been serving as the interim superintendent of RSU 50 since May 31. He retired from SAD 25 last June, but was brought back to the district for one additional year in order to help see the consolidation process through. He is being paid $400 per day for his services.
Doe has stated he would not seek the new superintendent’s position for RSU 50, which has a combined student population of 824 students, according to the state Department of Education website.
“I will stay with you as your interim until you are comfortable with your new superintendent or for as long as you would like,” Doe added.
The board agreed to come up with a brochure promoting what the district has to offer as a way to entice candidates to the area. RSU 50 has received similar brochures from the Newport area.
“The bottom line is what message do you want to send to this new person?” he asked. “You really need to set some goals. What is it you would like to see in your next superintendent?”
The board also agreed to bring a representative from Maine School Management back to the district for its October meeting as a refresher for what steps should be taken in the search.
In other business, the board discussed options for the additional $60,000 it now has, after voters approved the increase during the referendum process. At the district budget meeting, it was suggested that some of the money be used to bring in a Gifted and Talented instructor.
Doe presented a couple of scenarios to the board. He explained that a kindergarten position that had been eliminated through attrition should be considered for reinstatement in some capacity due to increased enrollment figures.
There are 22 students enrolled in kindergarten at SACS in one classroom. The state recommends no more than 20 students per teacher at this age level, Doe said. He suggested the district could request a waiver from the state to continue operating just one classroom, or they could split the class in half. He said a long-term sub could be hired temporarily; with a full teacher brought on board after the Christmas break.
“Hopefully, the person we hire as a long-term sub would also be the teacher,” said board member Barbara Burton. “It would be awfully hard on the kids at that grade level to bring in a different person halfway through the school year. Twenty-two is way too many for one teacher in kindergarten.”
With the remaining amount of $40,000, Doe suggested the district advertise for a GT teacher.
“Keep in mind, that person would be responsible for setting up and establishing the program for the entire RSU,” he said. “There probably would not be a lot of teaching involved.”
No action was taken on how to spend the $60,000. Doe said he would speak to his administrators and bring recommendation to the board at its next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Katahdin Elementary School.