GUILFORD – A popular school administrator is leaving his SAD 4 post for a similar position in Old Town later this year.

Matthew Oliver of Hermon, who has served as superintendent for the past two years, announced this week that he would leave the post June 30. Old Town officials in action this week awarded Oliver a two-year contract and a salary of $80,000, starting July 1.

In SAD 4, Oliver had been given contract extensions to 2006 and had received a salary of $72,000 this year. His resignation will be presented to SAD 4 directors at their May 13 meeting. A search for Oliver’s replacement is expected to begin immediately.

The location of the new job had much to do with Oliver’s decision. “Obviously, it’s going to be much closer to my family,” he said Friday. Oliver now commutes to Guilford from his home in Hermon. In addition to his immediate family, he said, his parents and in-laws are within an hour’s driving distance from Old Town.

“I have enjoyed my two years tremendously in SAD 4,” said Oliver, a graduate of Hodgdon High School. He said SAD 4 has an extremely supportive school board and a dedicated staff that really takes the students’ best interests into consideration.

Oliver said he is thrilled with the challenge of advancing to a school system that has double the enrollment of SAD 4. He said he looked forward to working with all the educational stakeholders in Old Town to bring excellence across the entire grade span.

“I’m confident we’ll make a great team and provide students with the highest possible level of educational opportunities,” he said.