HOLDEN – SAD 63 hired two new principals – one from the district and one new hire – on Monday during its regular school board meeting.

Don Spencer, Holbrook School’s fifth-grade teacher, was hired as the new prin-

cipal for Eddington School.

Gary Gonyar, kindergarten- through-second-grade principal for the Brewer School Department, was hired to replace veteran Principal Ralph Russell at Holbrook School.

After decades of service to the district, Russell has accepted a job as part-time principal for Airline Community School in Aurora, Superintendent Louise Regan said Tuesday.

Spencer will replace Principal Joan Staffiere, who served the school district for more than a decade, according to Regan.

Both new principals are “can do” professionals who Regan described as talented and energetic.

Amanda Albert also was hired as a new kindergarten teacher for Eddington School along with third-grade teacher Lisa Beers, special education teacher Deborah Colbry and education technician Kathryn Mooney.

Rhonda Hawes was hired to replace Greg Perkins in the special education department at Holbrook School.

and Cindy Morgan was hired as a secretary for the Department of Special Services.

During the meeting, Staffiere’s resignation was accepted, along with resignations from Holden schoolteachers Kristy Dube and Terry Holyoke, and Perkins and Susan Colley, who both worked in special education.

The school board also voted that Chairman Don Varnum and Vice Chairwoman Karen Clark should retain their leadership positions on the board, which was reduced from 13 to eight last month after a reapportionment.

The board also was informed that a lawsuit against the district was settled. Regan said a parent requested that the district pay for nonapproved education for a special needs child, which was rejected by school leaders. The superintendent said the court agreed with the district and the matter is settled.