Three resign, two teachers hired at SAD 63 meeting

HOLDEN – The resignations of two teachers and the district’s technology coordinator were accepted with regret and two other teachers were hired during Monday’s regular SAD 63 school board meeting.

Bangor resident Susan Harriman was hired as a first-grade teacher at Holden Elementary School, and Chandra Cousins-Raymond of Mount Desert Island was hired as the kindergarten through fourth-grade art teacher for the district.

Heather Austin, kindergarten through fourth-grade art teacher and Orrington resident, resigned because her husband took a job in Georgia; Linda Richards, first-grade teacher at Eddington Elementary School and Bradford resident, resigned because she accepted a teaching job in her hometown; and technology coordinator Justin Cole said in his resignation letter that his new job at Union No. 7 is “a growth opportunity in every possible way” as well as an opportunity to be with his fiancee full time.

Of the two new hires, both have years of experience under their belts, Dave Anderson, Holden school principal, told the board.

Harriman has 15 years of teaching experience with Levant Elementary, between 1988 and 2004, and she comes highly recommended, Anderson said. “She’s extremely excited about coming on board,” Anderson added.

Cousins-Raymond has six years of experience as an art teacher and brings “creative energy” with her to the job, which is split between the elementary schools in Holden and Eddington.

“I feel the people coming in will be a good match for our school, the staff and our community,” Anderson said.

Superintendent Louise Regan met with Harriman and Cousins-Raymond and endorsed them both.

During the meeting, the board also hired Brantner, Thibodeau & Associates of Bangor to do the district’s audit for a cost of no more than $6,900.