SAD 48 votes down principal’s contract

NEWPORT — For the second time this year, the SAD 48 board of directors took a vote not to renew a contract for one of the district’s staff members.

After an executive session last week to discuss staff evaluations, the board voted not to renew the contract of Peter Campbell, principal at Hartland Junior High and the Consolidated School. The decision on Campbell apparently was made after several people voiced concerns to board members.

When the board entered the closed session last week, several people, reportedly from the Hartland area, remained to air their complaints with the board. Before the session, one woman asked to read a letter she had forwarded to board members. She was asked to delay the reading until the closed session because it dealt with personalities. Campbell also remained in the session, according to board Chairman Robin Duplisea.

The vote not to renew Campbell’s contract was not unanimous, but Superintendent Ray Freve could not be reached for the exact vote count.

Two other new district administrators were renewed after the closed sessions.

In February, the board voted not to renew the contract of a longtime kindergarten teacher at St. Albans Elementary School. Two other teachers received no action on their continuing contracts.

Duplisea said work on the selection of a new superintendent is continuing. Although the Search Committee completed more than 100 hours of application reviews, interviews, reference checks, and on-site visits, the full board has elected to interview the three finalists. That session is apparently scheduled this week with plans for a decision on the new superintendent’s selection scheduled for April 5.