DYER BROOK – With only about a month remaining until local students kick off their flip-flops and gather up their pencils and book bags, schools in southern Aroostook County are working studiously to fill vacant administrative posts.

In Community School District 9 in Dyer Brook, Superintendent Terry Comeau said earlier this week that advertisements for the principalship at Southern Aroostook Community School were posted “some time ago.”

“The search is ongoing,” he explained, touching on the hunt for an administrator to replace former Principal Clark Rafford. The Houlton resident resigned effective June 30 to become principal at Hodgdon High School in SAD 70. “We placed an advertisement and have organized a committee to look for a candidate.”

Rafford will take over for Scott Richardson, who submitted his resignation in March to take effect on Sept. 1. The former leader held the position for less than a year, but had worked in the district for some 10 years.

Comeau said earlier this week that the district has a plan in place in case the new principal is not found by the start of the school year.

“The assistant principal will take over if we don’t have someone hired by then,” he noted.

Just as Rafford steps into the SAD 70 slot, another administrator will be leaving. Superintendent Deborah Stewart resigned earlier this month after accepting a contract to move into SAD 37’s superintendent position. She will oversee five elementary schools and one high school for Harrington, Cherryfield, Milbridge, Addison, Columbia Falls and Columbia.

The SAD 70 board already has initiated a search for a new leader. Stewart will leave her position in early August.