CAPE ELIZABETH — As summer gets into full swing, kids will be joining summer camps and sports teams, and adults will be looking for ways to stay fit and learn new skills.

Directing all these programs for Community Services will be Russell Packett, hired June 22 by a 4-0 vote of the School Board.

Packett has worked in community services for more than a decade, first as assistant director in Yarmouth and most recently as head of Recreation and Community Education in the Freeport-area Regional School Unit 5.

“The Cape is a community that values community service as resource for its members,” Packett said. “They have a quality of lifestyle that attracts people.”

Packett succeeds Janet Hoskin, Community Services director since 2008. Hoskin is now administrative assistant to Greg Marles, the director of facilities and transportation.

Although Packet has not made any immediate changes, he said he plans to evaluate the program soon and make decisions based on what he finds.

“I’m looking forward to a new challenge,” Packett said.

Community Services is a division of the School Department. It offers a variety of summer activities and programs, from baseball camps and beginner guitar lessons for kids to taekwondo and digital photography classes for adults.

Will Graff can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 123 or wgraff@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @W_C_Graff.

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