DEXTER – Saying he needs a break after 38 years in education, Raymond Poulin Jr. tendered his resignation last Wednesday as superintendent of schools in SAD 46 (Dexter, Garland, Ripley and Exeter).

Poulin said he would remain as SAD 46 superintendent, a job he’s held for 21/2 years, until the end of June 2001. Before taking the SAD 46 post he served as deputy to the Maine commissioner of education, superintendent of SAD 4 and for 11 years was principal at Dexter Regional High School.

“The past two years have been very rewarding to me; to be able to come back to my hometown and make a difference in the education of the students of this district has given me much satisfaction,” Poulin said Tuesday.

Although Poulin said he was officially retiring, the superintendent admitted that his mind would still be on education. He said he likely would continue to help in the field in some capacity although he has no other job in mind. “I feel that I have accomplished the goals I set for myself when I took the job as superintendent of schools and now feel that the district is positioned financially, organizationally and educationally, for new leadership,” Poulin said.

Among the successes cited by Poulin during his tenure as SAD 46 superintendent were the reorganization of the board committee structure; the repair and maintenance of school facilities; the enhancement of technology; full-day kindergarten; improved school culture and an improved budgeting process.