LINCOLN — John R. Turcotte, 43, of Ellsworth will assume his new duties as superintendent of SAD 67 on July 1. His selection received the unanimous approval of the board of directors.

Earlier, after 20 years as superintendent, Charles M. Casey announced his retirement.

Board chairman Daniel G. Aiken, who also was chairman of the Search Committee, said directors were excited about Turcotte. “In our judgment he was the best person for the job,” he said.

Aiken said Turcotte had strong administrative talents. He described the superintendent-elect as “a task-oriented individual who met people well, which was very important in his position.”

The chairman said Turcotte was recommended highly and was considered a responsible individual.

Turcotte said he was excited and eager about his new position. He said he hoped to be considered a competent school administrator and a “good person who works hard at doing the right things for children.” He considered himself to be a professional with the responsibility of “providing educational leadership” to the school district. He also considered that he was a “regular guy.”

As superintendent, Turcotte said he expected the people he dealt with to be upfront, honest and willing to communicate openly. He said he might not always agree with all opinions and positions, but “I will listen to all ideas and suggestions and never say `never.’ I will work hard as your superintendent and I will devote my professional energy to the needs of SAD 67.”

He said he believed relationships were important. He hoped to establish a “trust factor,” with all people, he said.

Aiken said the Search Committee received 27 applications, which were narrowed to 10, and then three applicants were interviewed. He said Turcotte was given a two-year contract and a salary of $59,500.

Members of the Search Committee were: Aiken; board members Margaret Gordon, Donald Worcester Sr., Cheryl Russell and Holly McCafferty; administrators Richard Greenlaw and MilledgeCq McConnell; and teachers Beth Eyles and Patrice Turner.

Turcotte had 10 years of experience as a superintendent. Before signing a contract with SAD 67, he was the superintendent of School Union 92, which is made up of eight communities in the Hancock and Trenton area, and SAD 26, in the Waltham area. From 1983 to 1985, he was superintendent of School Union 60 in the Greenville area, and from 1980 to 1983, he was superintendent of School Union 60, SAD 2, SAD 12, and an Unorganized Territories school agent for about 15 areas.

Before becoming a school superintendent, Turcotte served as a supervising principal, a director of adult education, a teaching principal, a language arts teacher, and a fifth grade teacher. He also was a police officer.

His present professional organizations are: member of the Hancock County Superintendents Association, where he has served as president since 1987; the Maine State Superintendents Association; the American Association of School Administrators.