SCARBOROUGH — The School Board unanimously approved a contract for new high school Principal Dean Auriemma at its last meeting.

Auriemma will replace Patricia Conant, whose contract was not renewed after the board met to discuss the issue in an executive session in February. Conant could not be reached for comment.

The new principal’s two-year contract begins July 1 and his salary will be $100,000 per year.

“He is a very thoughtful individual with a lot of energy,” Superintendent David Doyle said.

A hiring committee of administrators, teachers, board members, students and parents interviewed six of the 19 applicants for the position.

“He was, in the words of the committee, their No. 1 choice,” Doyle said.

Auriemma hails from the suburbs of Chicago, where he was the principal at two large high schools. Before that, he worked as a curriculum director and was also an art teacher for 14 years. He also introduced soccer and lacrosse programs at several of the schools where he worked.

Doyle said Auriemma had been looking to move to New England with his wife, who grew up in the area.

Facilities panel

The School Board is also calling for seven community members to participate in a facilities committee to evaluate buildings and create a long-term plan for the schools.

“They’ll be looking at all the facilities to see if they are meeting the educational needs of the students,” Assistant Superintendent Joanne Sizemore said.

The district currently makes use of several modular buildings for overflow classrooms. Sizemore said that situation would be evaluated by the committee and the members would potentially draft a plan for the future of the buildings.

In addition to community members, the 15-member committee will also include two School Board members, one Town Councilor, the superintendent, a building manager, the facilities manager, a representative from the town planning office, and the director of community service.

Sizemore said she thought the committee would begin meeting in July or August.

Any resident may apply to sit on the committee. Applications must be turned in to the superintendent’s office by June 30. For more information contact Kelly Johnston at 730-4106 or kjohns@scarborough.k12.me.us.

Emily Parkhurst can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or eparkhurst@theforecaster.net