SAD 33 principal resigns, accepts new post

ST. AGATHA – Lester Michaud, Wisdom High School principal for the last eight years, resigned Thursday after the school board created a new one-year position for him.

Michaud accepted the appointment of director of instruction at the same salary of $53,650 and fringe benefits he has as principal. His resignation is effective June 30.

The school district will begin advertising next month for a new principal.

After an executive session Thursday afternoon, school board directors unanimously approved the creation of the new position. The position was developed during the week by Michaud and Superintendent Fern Desjardins after a nearly 90-minute executive session on Feb. 6 between school directors, Desjardins and Michaud.

There was no public discussion on the creation of the new position. Desjardins said she and Michaud were told during executive session on Feb. 6 to “come up with something.”

“There is no intention, at this time, to renew the contract for the director of instruction after June 30, 2004,” Desjardins said at Thursday night’s meeting.

She said the position came about because the Wisdom High School principal has too much work with too many duties attached to it. She said the position has become too broad for one person.

“External forces seek to disrupt our school,” Michaud wrote in his letter of resignation. “Being principal was challenging … and rewarding.”

“I will leave the school in great shape,” he wrote.

About a dozen people, mostly supporters of Michaud, attended Thursday night’s school board meeting. The meeting started at the St. John Valley Technology Center but was moved to the Dr. Levesque Elementary School after a fire alarm cut short the executive session.

At a regular school board meeting on Feb. 6, seven people supported Michaud’s continuation in the position, and one woman spoke against his administration. About 60 people attended the session at Wisdom High School.

Wisdom High School has 160 students in middle and high school grades seven through 12.

Michaud was not going to be recommended for another contract in the position he has held since August 1994. Michaud said he found out on Jan. 13 that he was not being recommended for another contract.

On Jan. 30, Michaud, who was with the district for 20 years as a teacher before becoming principal, told his staff of 27 people about his future in SAD 33.

Michaud has said the Wisdom High School principals before his administration had an assistant. Not only was that position lost, he has explained, but other duties – such as special education director, curriculum coordinator, grant writer and affirmative action officer – have been added to the principal’s job over the last four years.