BRUNSWICK — The School Department curriculum coordinator will serve as interim principal at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School.
The appointment of long-time administrator John Paige by Superintendent Paul Perzanoski was made in advance of the School Board’s Wednesday meeting, where members discussed plans to find a new permanent principal.
The school’s first and only principal, Jean Skorapa, announced July 27 that she will leave her post to become assistant superintendent of Regional School Unit 3 this fall.
As of Wednesday evening, there were already 11 applications for Skorapa’s job. Assistant Superintendent Pender Makin implied the process would be selective, since it is difficult to find qualified school administrators.
Makin is chairing the search committee for Skorapa’s replacement, which will include 18 members: nine teachers, two School Board members, three parents, and three support staff.
The names of the committee members were expected to be announced Thursday in a letter from Perzanoski’s office; on Wednesday evening, Makin would only confirm that Joshua Levy, assistant principal of HBS, will serve, and that the rest of the committee was chosen on the basis of making the search as equitable as possible.
After considering the pool of applicants, the committee will select a small group of candidates to visit the school, meet students, teachers, and community members, and interview with staff.
From there, finalists will interview with Perzanoski, who will nominate a candidate to the board for a vote.
The board did not set a deadline for applicants; the goal is to have a new principal for Harriet Beecher Stowe by Oct. 1, Perzanoski said, “but that’s an ambitious goal.”
“We don’t know when someone will be able to give notice and become available,” he said.
In the meantime, Paige is expected to take the helm Aug. 15, just three weeks before the first day of school.
Callie Ferguson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 100 or cferguson@theforecaster.net. Follow Callie on Twitter: @calliecferguson.
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