FARMINGTON — Leadership, communication, school finance budgeting and personnel management are the top qualities respondents said they are looking for in the new Regional School Unit 9 superintendent.

Board member Monique Claverie, of Farmington, said the results are consistent across the 192 responses she received for the district survey.

“We have very clear direction from the responses,” Claverie said.

During an open discussion on the superintendent search Tuesday, RSU9 board members said they are looking for a highly visible superintendent who has good communication skills and familiarity with the school district.

Board member Betsey Hyde, of Temple, said the new superintendent should be someone who communicates and interacts with the teachers.

“They’re the experts, they’re in the trenches and I want someone who will listen to them,” she said.

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Angela LeClair, of Wilton, said she wanted the new superintendent to have good business sense, which she felt current Superintendent Michael Cormier demonstrated.

“Mike really knew how to stretch a dollar, and he’s going to be hard to replace,” she said.

Students who took the survey voted school improvement, school-community involvement, curriculum and communication as their four highest concerns.

The board is reviewing five applications for the position. The deadline for applications was Dec. 3.

RSU 9 schools have been surveyed in October and November for input on the search for a superintendent candidate after Cormier announced his retirement after 20 years of service.

RSU 9 district includes Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Starks, Temple, Vienna, Weld and Wilton.

Kaitlin Schroeder — 861-9252
kschroeder@mainetoday.com


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