WARREN – An SAD 40 closed-door session Wednesday ended with the board taking no action on continuing the search for a new superintendent.

After 80 minutes in executive session with 11 of 15 members present, the board adjourned.

Chairwoman Susan Wilcox said the board would meet again 7 p.m. Monday, when it will hold an executive session to consider terms of a contract for a superintendent.

At its previous meeting on Monday, the board voted outside executive session to offer the top administrative position to “candidate number 18.” Wilcox refused to disclose the identity of the prospective superintendent.

On Wednesday, before the board entered closed session, the Bangor Daily News formally objected to Monday’s vote, stating that the newspaper believes the board violated the intent and purpose of Maine’s Freedom of Access law by not identifying to whom the job was offered.

After the closed session, Wilcox said the board had been advised by its attorney, Bruce Smith of Drummond & Woodsum of Portland, that it did not have to disclose the candidate’s name.

“Until a contract is signed, [the board has] no obligation to release the name,” she said.

The troubled district, which comprises Warren, Waldoboro, Washington, Union and Friendship, has been dealing with many issues this year.

In September, the state Department of Education put the district on “provisional” status after reviewing its operations.

Last Friday, the board filed a plan in response to the state’s report that details how it will correct problems that extend from finance to food service.

In March, Superintendent William Doughty resigned under pressure from the board and the public for not disclosing a $400,000 shortfall in the fiscal year 2003 budget. The contract with interim Superintendent Jerry White of North Haven ends Sunday. His last day of work was Wednesday.

The turmoil has led to several resignations in the central office.

When the superintendent job was offered Monday, the candidate asked for time to consider the proposal, Wilcox said.

“That offer is still out there,” she said.

When asked Wednesday if the board has made an offer to an alternate candidate, Wilcox said, “We’re considering everything right now.”

Wilcox would not go into any details about Monday’s offer, saying “there’s been no agreement. There are conditions to be met,” but then she declined to elaborate.