March 29, 2024
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SAD 29 rejects sharing school chief SAD 70 officials briefly consider part-time superintendent to cut costs

HOULTON – Taxpayers in the 11 towns that make up SAD 70 and SAD 29 will not be presented with proposals to share administrators anytime soon, SAD 29 interim Superintendent Omar Norton confirmed Wednesday.

At a SAD 70 district budget meeting June 17, board Chairman Paul Harrison revealed to the more than 130 people attending that the district had approached SAD 29 in Houlton about “sharing a superintendent.” Harrison’s statement came on the heels of taxpayer complaints about the burden they shoulder to support the district and criticism of the “champagne tastes” of the school board.

At the meeting, Harrison said the board had discussed several options for cutting costs, including having a part-time superintendent for the district. Harrison also unveiled the option that had been presented to Houlton.

“We did ask SAD 29 about sharing administration,” Harrison said in response. “They did not want to share.”

Harrison said SAD 29 school board representatives were approached with the idea at a superintendent’s meeting. The representatives reportedly said they “wanted their own superintendent.” Harrison said Norton also heard the idea.

Norton confirmed Harrison’s statements Wednesday.

“I was approached about the matter, but I gave the standard answer that we are currently looking for a superintendent,” Norton said. “I think that the time will come when the districts may well get together and discuss the idea, but it takes a lot of study.”

SAD 29 is searching for a superintendent to replace former Superintendent Susan Johnson, who resigned in March. Norton is serving until a successor can be found, and the board is preparing to interview candidates. The district also is searching for a high school principal to replace Michael Chadwick, who left his position in December.

Norton said he was told the SAD 70 school board had asked their superintendent, Deborah Stewart, to discuss the idea with him.

“She did mention it to me,” Norton explained. “But right now we are in the closing days of a lengthy search.”

Norton said he may talk to the Houlton school board about forming a consolidation committee.

“I feel that the day will come when we have to mass ourselves to get the best educational bang for our buck,” Norton said. “Taxes have hit some communities, especially smaller ones, very hard. The mil rates are increasing … and enrollments, in some cases, are decreasing.”

Board members have already debated the idea of filling the vacant principal and superintendent’s position with one person. The move – presented to the board by a local resident as a way to save money – was shot down after the board determined it would be too difficult.

“Talk of consolidation is a sensitive issue,” Norton said Wednesday. “If it were to be accomplished, it would involve full community participation. Right now, I feel the communities around here do the best they can to provide the finest education for everyone.”


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