SCARBOROUGH — With openings in Scarborough, South Portland, Biddeford and Standish, there was no shortage places for David Creech to consider.

The incoming principal at Scarborough High School said his eyes were always on one prize.

“I’m excited about working at Scarborough High School and being principal,” he said Wednesday. “Everything I’ve seen points to great kids and staff and an involved community.”

Appointed unanimously by the School Board at its meeting last Thursday, Creech will officially start July 1. Currently an assistant principal at Kennebunk High School, he was the sole finalist among 30 candidates to replace Dean Auriemma.

Auriemma resigned last January, and interim school leadership was provided by School Department Curriculum Director Monique Culberson, assistant principals Ray Dunn and Susan Ketch, and Athletic Director Mike LeGage.

Creech was given a one-year contract at $101,950, School Superintendent George Entwistle III said.

“We are very excited to welcome David to our team and we have every confidence that he will be very successful leading the Scarborough High School,” Entwistle added.

Born near Baltimore in Edgemere, Md., and a 1981 graduate of Caribou High School, Creech, 50, is married and has two daughters. Before becoming an administrator at Kennebunk, he taught math at Sanford High School and Massabesic High School in Waterboro.

“I love everything about high school,” said Creech, who is married and the father of two daughters.

Promising active and engaged leadership to help students develop personally and academically, Creech was simultaneously an administrator and a department head. He also directed emergency operations management for what is now Regional School Unit 21 and includes schools in Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

“I’ve worn all those hats at the same time. It was very rewarding to be in each one of those positions,” he said. “Based on that experience, I have been able to see how a decision affects the classroom.”

Creech said visibility is a leadership goal.

“I always feel like we don’t promote what our students and staff do well enough …  it is the best advertisement we can get out,” he said.

Approaching his fourth decade as an educator and administrator, Creech said times are changing, and not always for the better.

“I think this is one of the toughest times to be a high school student,” Creech said. “Technology can be a blessing and a challenge. When I was in school, if we were upset at Tommy a few people knew it. Now if we are upset with Tommy, we put it on Facebook.”

Once settled in office next month, Creech said he will welcome visits from students, staff, parents and the community before the school year starts.

“It feels great. I have mentioned this from the very beginning of the process, Scarborough people have been warm and welcoming,” he said.

David Harry can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or dharry@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidHarry8.

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