Wiscasset Superintendent of Schools Terry Wood will also be Wiscasset Elementary School’s principal this school year. She started helping there after Principal Stacy White resigned last spring.

“I will be serving as the superintendent and principal at WES during the 2019-2020 school year with the intention of hiring a full-time principal at WES for the 2020-2021 school year,” Wood wrote in an email reply to a question Tuesday night.

During the public comment portion of the school committee meeting Tuesday night, Sabrina Apczynski said she was disappointed a new principal hadn’t been hired for WES. “My concern is the school superintendent is wearing too many hats,” Apczynski commented, wondering how this might affect “teachers and due process.”

The mother of an incoming kindergartener, Apczynski was also concerned about the continued turnover of teachers and staff.  

Chairman Michael Dunn said the principal’s job had been posted internally. “We decided having the superintendent fill the vacancy was the best approach.” Committee member Desiree Bailey said having the superintendent in the elementary school would benefit both students and staff.

Wood said she’d recently met with representatives of the Wiscasset Teachers Association for their input. Wood agreed staff turnover has been a problem. “They can go an hour’s drive away and make a lot more money. I want to be able to pay people more but there’s only so much the community can afford,” she explained.

“Staff turnover has been an issue for the town as well,” added committee member Jason Putnam.

The committee announced new staff members including Christina Ferreira, assistant special education director; Kira Olsen, kindergarten teacher; Elizabeth Proffetty, elementary art teacher; Melissa Bosse, elementary school kitchen staff; and Rachel Morse, educational technician III.

Resignations included Clara Evans, kindergarten teacher; Carin Stromgren, WMHS social worker; Ashley Major, educational technician III; and Cheryl Lierow, school psychologist. Wood said Lierow will continue providing her services as an independent contractor.

The committee voted to form a curriculum committee; Michelle Blagdon will serve as the board’s representative. Wood noted the pre-K program will be starting soon. Two classes are planned, one with 12 students, the other with 13. Both are full-day programs. The school department will seek bids on a van and two surplus school busses.

The board entered into an executive session on employment matters per MRSA Title 1, Section 405(6)(a); no action was anticipated.