Interim superintendents thanked for efforts

LIVERMORE FALLS — SAD 36  directors thanked two interim superintendents Tuesday for all they did to get the district through the school year.

Interim Superintendent David Wallace and interim Assistant Superintendent David Bois, both retired superintendents from southern Maine, were recognized with a buffet, a cake, gift certificates and well-wishes before the school board meeting began.

The two came on board after former Superintendent Terry Despres resigned in January citing personal and medical reasons.

"You certainly earned your keep here but more importantly you earned our respect," board Chairman Ashley O'Brien of Livermore said.

O'Brien said he invited Wallace to Long Green Variety to try to get him to step into the superintendent's position to help the district out.

It was before official word had been released about Despres' resignation and before it was accepted by the board.

O'Brien said it had snowed the day he met Wallace in the store's seating area. It was about an hour north of Wallace's Portland residence and Wallace thought he had arrived in the town where the district's Central Office was located. But he agreed to accept the temporary job even when he learned the office was several miles farther north in the next town, O'Brien said.

Former board Vice Chairman Fred Nadeau of Livermore Falls said he was present during that meeting.

He said he knew Wallace was the man for them when he agreed to lead the district and travel so far.

The board had an emergency meeting on Jan. 13 and after an executive session accepted Despres' resignation and hired Wallace and Bois.

Director Denise Rodzen also thanked Wallace and Bois for all the work the two had done.

The two completed many tasks that had been long overdue since Despres' health started to fail.

New Superintendent Judy Harvey will take over the reins of the district on July 6.

dperry@sunjournal.com